BI arrests Sudanese wanted for alleged human organ trafficking

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday arrested a Sudanese man who has been wanted for over 10 years for his alleged involvement in the trafficking of human organs.

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said operatives of the BI Intelligence Division nabbed 44-year-old Badreldin Elzaki Ibrahim El Habbib in Makati.

“His presence is a threat to Filipino citizens. Hence, he was arrested and will eventually be deported by the Bureau,” Tansingco said in a press conference.

Immigration Intelligence Division chief Fortunato Manahan Jr, said the operatives arrested El Habbib at around 10 a.m.

“El Habbib was arrested pursuant to warrant of deportation issued by our Commissioner Norman Tasingco. The warrant stems from a summary deportation order issued in 2013 against El Habbib for undesirability and overstaying,” Manahan said.

He said the BI received the request from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2019. 

“He was said to have enticed and recruited Saudi nationals needing kidney transplants to have it in the Philippines, but ended up swindling his victims,” Manahan said. 

Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval said the agency has no information on whether El Habbib ever intended to sell any organs in the Philippines.

“Wala po tayong information about that. Ang atin pong information comes from the Saudi Government of his activities po na siya po ay nagtitinda [sa] mga victims in Saudi but the actual organs he transported, we do not have information on that,” she said. 

Sandoval said they also have no information about any accomplices.

According to Sandoval, El Habbib is currently facing a separate charge for carnapping.

“From what we know po he has a current case here in the Philippines. Meron po siyang kaso na kinakaharap dito sa Pilipinas. He was actually arrested in RTC Makati, kung hindi po ako nagkakamali,” she said.

Sandoval said the case must first be submitted for resolution before El Habbib can be deported.

“‘Yung process po ng kanyang deportation habang meron pa siyang pending na kaso, aantayin po natin yung resolution ng kasong iyon,” she said.

El Habbib will be transferred to the BI Warden Facility in Bicutan, Taguig. — BM, GMA Integrated News