BI dismisses Xian Gaza's claim in viral FB post; PNP checking info about him

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Monday denounced the claim of Xian Gaza, the man who previously went viral due to his billboard date proposal, that he was able to leave the Philippines despite having three warrants of arrest for his alleged involvement in an investment scam.

In a press release, BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said Gaza's alleged conversation with an immigration officer did not take place, adding that Gaza's story has many loopholes.

"His story sounds like it was taken straight out of an action movie. He said it to
himself, his story is based on what happened, but sadly it’s not what actually happened," Sandoval said.

"The story is preposterous, similar to other claims he made in the past.  If you know regular airport procedures, his story sounds silly," she added.

In a Facebook post, Gaza narrated how he was able to leave the country on September 30, 2018 despite three arrest warrants issued against him. He said he bought three tickets for separate flights: one bound for Hong Kong and two decoy flights bound for Singapore and Taiwan.

Gaza said he was able to pass through the immigration officer as there was no hold departure order issued against him.

He said he was able to board his flight but he also mentioned that airport personnel and some policemen had arrived. Gaza said he rushed inside the plane's restroom to hide.

"Nung narinig ko na sa cabin crew yung salitang 'cross-check' eh doon na ko nakahinga. Remember my two decoy flights bound to SG and Taipei? For sure eh doon na sila sumunod nagpunta at naghanap dahil positive ang name ko on both passenger manifests," Gaza said.

Sandoval clarified that once an individual has a hit for an existing hold departure order or warrant of arrest, he/she will immediately be prohibited from departing the country.

"Since he had no derogatory record when he left, he was cleared for departure.  It was quite uneventful and ordinary, really. No Hollywood-level story line, just regular immigration clearance," she said.

Sandoval said the BI is already studying possible action against Gaza.

"Stunts like this using the Bureau to gain fame and stay relevant are a security risk. He is making a mockery of our airport procedures for attention,” she said.

For its part, the Philippine National Police said it is continuously monitoring the incident.

"Patuloy ang ginagawang monitoring at pangangalap ng impormasyon sa convicted suspect," PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Bernard Banac told GMA News Online.

Last year, Gaza was sentenced by a Malabon Metropolitan Trial Court to five years and six months in prison after he was found guilty of violating the Anti-Bouncing Checks Law.

Banac asked the public to immediately tell authorities if they have any information that could lead to the arrest of Gaza.

"Panawagan natin sa publiko, ipagbigay-alam agad sa ating kapulisan 'pag may makuhang impormasyon para sa agarang ikadarakip nito," Banac said. —KG, GMA News