Two foreigners who are wanted in their countries for alleged criminal offenses have been arrested by the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

In a statement issued on Sunday, March 16, the BI identified them as Jordanian national Hussam Aldeen Mohd Kamiel Ghanem, 56, and Chinese national Peng Quanbin, 28.

“They were arrested in separate operations conducted in Metro Manila by members of the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) on the strength of mission orders issued by Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado on request of the Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization) and the Chinese government,” it said. 

The bureau said “Ghanem was arrested March 11 at the BI main office in Intramuros, Manila after attempting to extend his tourist visa.”

"Ghanem's arrest was sought by Interpol Manila pursuant to a request from Jordanian authorities who want him arrested and deported for issuing a worthless check," it said.

On the other hand, Peng was arrested last March 12 at his residence in Barangay (village) Carmona, Makati City.

 The BI said: "Peng’s arrest was sought by Chinese authorities for alleged involvement in theft and cyber crimes. A warrant for Peng’s arrest was reportedly issued by the public security bureau in Baise, China which accused him of conspiring with other suspects in hacking the computers of victims who incurred combined losses of more than 3 million RMB, or more than $414,000."

The two arrested foreigners are detained at the BI's facility in Taguig City pending their deportation.