Metro manila: Two foreign nationals wanted in their respective countries for separate crimes have been apprehended in Metro Manila operations, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) announced Thursday. During a press briefing at Camp Crame, PAOCC Executive Officer Undersecretary Benjamin Acorda Jr. introduced South Korean national Kim Sihun, sought for fraud, and Japanese national Hideharu Inoue, an alleged senior member of the Luffy Group criminal syndicate.

According to Philippines News Agency, Inoue was detained on Tuesday at the intersection of Washington Street and Dela Rosa Street in Makati City. Authorities have identified him as a high-ranking member and manager within the Luffy Group, a Japanese syndicate known for executing large-scale fraud operations across multiple countries. Investigators revealed that the group employs sophisticated scams by impersonating government officials, including police officers and personnel from Japan's Ministry of Finance, to earn the trust of their victims.

Conversely, Kim was captured at a Mandaluyong City mall last Thursday after being identified as the subject of an arrest warrant issued by South Korea's Seoul Central District Court in 2020 for fraud. He was also under an active Interpol Red Notice. Acorda emphasized that the successful arrests were a result of close collaboration between Philippine law enforcement agencies, International Police, and foreign police counterparts.

"You may cross borders, change identities, and attempt to hide behind distance, but when nations cooperate, when agencies coordinate, and when communities communicate, you will be found," Acorda stated, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in combating crime.

Acorda further mentioned that the PAOCC remains committed to supporting government initiatives that promote tourism, investment, and employment while strictly enforcing laws, protecting communities, and safeguarding the environment through partnerships with local and international agencies in the fight against transnational crime.

The two fugitives have been handed over to the Bureau of Immigration for documentation and deportation proceedings.