The Bureau of Immigration (BI) took custody of two Chinese nationals accused of rape, apparently to prevent them from securing bail for temporary release pending the outcome of the court's decision on the case.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said Liu Yong, 28, and Sun Laizheng, 35, were previously arrested by the Philippine National Police (PNP) for a rape case.
“We received a coordination letter from PNP Pasay City regarding Liu and Sun transferring their custody to us," he said.
Informed sources said the practice by police authorities to turn over to BI aliens facing criminal charges was intended to prevent from posting bail to gain temporary liberty while the court tries the case.
Tansingco said Liu and Sun have been in the country since 2018 and 2019, respectively.
The BI charged the duo for violating the conditions and limitations of their stay as non-immigrants, being a public charge, and posing a clear and present danger to public welfare.
“They are serious threat to our women and children and there is no place for these kinds of foreigners in our land,” said Tansingco.
Liu and Sun are detained in BI’s detention center in Taguig and will be deported only after serving their sentence, if the court finds them guilty of the crime of rape.