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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider BI deports 17 Taiwanese 'fugitives'

BI deports 17 Taiwanese 'fugitives'

Published Jan 25, 2026 08:18 pm
Seventeen Taiwanese “fugitives,” who are wanted in their country for large-scale online scam operations, have been deported, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Sunday, Jan. 25.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado said the Taiwanese nationals were deported last Jan. 21. They were arrested in May last year in a subdivision in Cebu City by operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and government intelligence forces.
Viado said those deported have been declared undesirable aliens and have been placed in the BI’s blacklist which bans them from returning to the Philippines.
“This decisive action reflects President Marcos’ clear policy: the Philippines will not tolerate foreign criminals who exploit our openness, abuse our laws, and prey on innocent people,” he also said.
Thus, Viado stressed that the BI will relentlessly pursue, arrest, and deport aliens who engage in illegal activities. “We are closing the doors to scammers, syndicates, and fugitives who believe they can hide behind tourist visas,” he added.
He said the Taiwanese fugitives were operating an online finance scam hub in Cebu City.
He also said: “Investigators caught the individuals in flagrante (in the act), actively manning workstations and running scam operations without the required visas or permits, in direct violation of Philippine immigration laws. Digital forensic examination confirmed the presence of romance and investment scam scripts, messaging platforms, and other tools used to deceive victims.”
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