Manila: Agents of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) fugitive search unit (FSU) have arrested three Chinese nationals caught by Tawi-Tawi police while attempting to illegally cross Philippine borders.

According to Philippines News Agency, BI FSU Chief Rendel Ryan Sy identified the suspects as Zhang Xiaofeng, 36; Guo Jinxia, 35; and Zhong Xiongwei, 54. They were arrested on August 29 after being found to also be overstaying in the country. Personnel of the Mapun Municipal Police Station (MPS) under the Tawi-Tawi Police Provincial Office (PPO) reportedly intercepted Zang and Guo during a routine checkpoint at the Port of Mapun. Meanwhile, Zhong was intercepted by the 1st Special Operations Unit, Special Boat Crew of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Maritime group during a separate port inspection activity.

The apprehensions were conducted in coordination with the Tawi-Tawi Provincial Police Information and Technology Management Division (PIT) and Regional Intelligence Unit 9. BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado stated that they have been actively collaborating with local law enforcement agencies in areas used as illegal migration corridors or “backdoor” to address cases of foreign nationals illegally crossing maritime borders.

The apprehended foreigners were initially held under the custody of the Tawi-Tawi PPO and the PNP Maritime Group. They were then transferred to the BI’s facility in Bicutan on September 1, where they will remain while facing their deportation case. Viado also noted that the arrests were in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen monitoring of coastal areas to prevent illegal cross-border activities.