Manila: Four Korean nationals, three of whom are wanted for their involvement in significant illegal online gambling and fraud operations, were recently captured in Metro Manila and Pampanga, as reported by the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

According to Philippines News Agency, the BI revealed that two of the apprehended individuals, Oh Kyoungchul and Han Jonghoon, were subjects of red notices from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol). Oh, who was detained on June 25 at Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga, is believed to be the leader of a syndicate running an illegal gambling video production ring in Cebu from 2016 to 2018. He is currently facing an arrest warrant from the Seoul Western District Court. Han was arrested in San Juan City on July 4, accused of being the finance team leader of a criminal organization managing 23 gambling websites, and has two active derogatory records in the BI database.

The other two arrested Koreans were identified as Yang Koo Youn and Jung Hoesung. Yang was detained alongside Oh and found to be overstaying. Jung was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on June 25 for overstaying and allegedly operating 23 illegal online gambling platforms. The BI has classified Oh, Han, and Jung as undesirable aliens and they are currently held at the bureau's warden facility pending deportation proceedings.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado emphasized that these arrests align with their commitment to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to protect the country's borders and deport foreign nationals exploiting the Philippines to evade law enforcement. Viado stated, "These operations are a clear warning to foreign fugitives - if you use our country to run your criminal enterprises, we will find you, arrest you, and send you back to face justice." He also highlighted the successful collaboration between the Philippine government and international counterparts in these operations.