Taiwanese national facing Interpol alert, warrant nabbed aboard ship

A Taiwanese national and former American citizen who is facing an Interpol alert and an arrest warrant in the United States was recently arrested aboard a ship bound for the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said.

In a statement on Tuesday, the BI said the 54-year-old Taiwanese national was intercepted on November 22 at the Port of Currimao, Ilocos Norte aboard a ship from Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

“This operation reflects our firm commitment to secure our borders and uphold President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive. Our officers remain vigilant in ensuring that the Philippines does not become a refuge for fugitives,” said BI commissioner Joel Anthony Viado.

A team of BI officers tasked to conduct boarding and immigration formalities aboard the ship received and verified the Interpol alert as the ship entered Philippine territory.

The immigration officers then coordinated with other law enforcement agencies such as the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

The passenger was turned over to the BI Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) upon the ship’s arrival at the Port of Currimao.

The BI is processing the deportation of the Taiwanese national in accordance with the verified Interpol alert and immigration law.

It also assured that it shall continue to strengthen cooperation with international and local law enforcement agencies to reinforce border control and security. — JMA, GMA Integrated News