Advance alerts foil 2 fugitives' attempt to enter Philippines
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration has intercepted two foreign fugitives attempting to enter the country after advance screening flagged them as wanted abroad, the agency said Friday.
In a statement Friday, January 2, the bureau said a Mongolian national and a Turkish national were barred from entering Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on January 1 through the bureau’s Advanced Passenger Information System.
Agents identified one of the intercepted passengers as Battulga Ganbold, 30, a Mongolian national who arrived from Vietnam. Immigration records showed Ganbold has a standing warrant of arrest in South Korea for a drug-related offense.
The second passenger was identified as Ercan Mutlu, 37, a Turkish national who arrived from Japan. The BI said Mutlu is a fugitive wanted in Türkiye for sexual exploitation and prostitution.
Both were denied entry after their identities were verified against international records, the agency said.
Alerts generated mid-flight. Immigration deputy spokesperson and APIS Operations Center chief Melvin Mabulac said the system generated advance alerts while the two passengers were still airborne.
The APIS Operations Center immediately coordinated with the BI Interpol Unit, which verified the international warrants before relaying the information to immigration officers at NAIA Terminal 1, allowing the passengers to be intercepted upon arrival.
Enhanced border patrol. Mabulac said the APIS enables authorities to identify high-risk passengers even before they land in the Philippines.
The system, which provides advanced intelligence and improves coordination among law enforcement agencies, was donated by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism with support from the Australian government.
- Latest
- Trending
