INTELLIGENCE packets provided by agents of the Philippine National Police Intelligence Group (PNP-IG) have resulted in the arrest of 17 ‘undesirable aliens’ involved in criminal activities in the country and abroad, the Journal Group learned.
The 17 are composed of four Japanese, two Tajikistan nationals, a South Korean and 10 Chinese nationals, said PNP-IG director Brigadier General David Poklay in a report to PNP chief General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr.
The two foreigners from Tajikistan were arrested in Brgy. Lomidong, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur last Friday.
Members of the PNP-IG, Special Action Force, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, the Marawi City Police Station, the Philippine Army’s 103rd Brigade, and the Bureau of Immigration arrested the duo inside their rented room.
Both were placed under the custody of the BI as police and military continued to assess any potential security implications linked to their presence in the area.
The four Japanese nationals, who have been linked to transnational crime groups, were arrested in Metro Manila and Batangas last week.
The 1st tracked down last April 16 in Brgy. Barangka Ilaya, Mandaluyong City for his links to the notorious Japan-based Luffy Group.
The suspects are known for making telephone calls to their victims while impersonating themselves as government employees from the Japan Ministry of Finance.
Once they have arrived in the homes of their targets, the suspects will distract them to steal their ATM cards.
The 2nd suspect was apprehended in Bacood, Sta. Mesa, Manila for his involvement with the JP Dragon syndicate, a group engaged in telecom fraud and swindling operations across Asia.
The two others were arrested along Matabungkay Beach in Lian, Batangas last April 8 by members of the PNP-IG Foreign Intelligence and Liaison Division, the BI Fugitive Search Unit and the Regional Intelligence Unit 4-A.
The two are the subject of a warrant for telecom fraud issued by the Omiya Summary Court in Japan.
Both arrests were carried out by the police force with the BI and in coordination with Japanese law enforcement authorities.
The operations were anchored on existing deportation orders and arrest warrants issued by the Tokyo Summary Court.
The 10 Chinese nationals were arrested for involvement in illegal mining activities in Brgy. Lobo, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur last April 9.
Acting on an ‘intelligence packet’ provided by the RIU13, members of the local police, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources conducted the raid in Carac-an Downstream where they apprehended the 10 and confiscated some P50 million worth of mining equipment.
The Chinese nationals were accused of operating a large-scale illegal mining site in three areas in Bgy. Lobo where the multi-million peso worth of evidence including excavators, pay loaders, dump trucks, generator sets, sluice boxes, water pumps, bunkhouses, and other support equipment were found and seized.
The suspects are now facing charges for violation of Republic Act No. 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and other environmental and immigration offenses.
The Korean national was arrested inside a subdivision in Pamplona Dos, Las Piñas City last April 14.
The syndicate is believed to have earned more than 5 trillion Korean won or roughly P205 billion from their victims.
The Korean is the subject of an Interpol Red Notice issued on June 12, 2025 in connection with the warrant of arrest for violation of the National Sports Promotion Act of the Republic of Korea.
Representatives from the Korean National Police Agency assisted the police and the immigration bureau in apprehending the accused.