The Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested 180 foreign fugitives in the Philippines in 2024, with South Koreans making up the largest group at 74, according to a statement released on February 10. According to a PhilStar Global report, this marks a 40% increase from the 128 foreign fugitives apprehended in 2023.
Chinese nationals were the second most arrested group, with 62 taken into custody. Other nationalities included 12 Taiwanese, 11 Japanese, seven Americans, two Italians, and two Australians. British, Canadian, German, Indian, Indonesian, Jordanian, Kyrgyzstani, Liberian, Nigerian, and Serbian fugitives were also among those caught.
“The Philippines is off limits to all foreign fugitives. This country is not a sanctuary for alien criminals,” said Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado.
Among the high-profile cases, six Japanese nationals linked to the “Luffy” gang were arrested. The gang is known for organizing scams, extortion, and fraud while operating from the Philippines. Australian and Serbian nationals were also apprehended for drug-related charges, while an Indian-Nepalese fugitive was wanted for murder, extortion, and robbery.
Most of the arrested individuals have already been deported to their home countries, where they are now serving their sentences, according to BI fugitive search unit acting chief Rendel Ryan Sy. The fugitives were wanted for crimes such as investment scams, money laundering, illegal gambling, robbery, and drug trafficking.
