Marikina city: The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has apprehended a Taiwanese national, identified as Su Ping-Yen, for overstaying in the Philippines following his involvement in a hit-and-run incident in Marikina City. The arrest, carried out after close coordination with the Marikina City Police Station and the Eastern Police District on July 29, highlights the ongoing efforts to enforce immigration laws in the country.
According to Philippines News Agency, the 34-year-old Su was implicated in a traffic incident at 5 a.m. on the same day at the intersection of Lilac Street and Panorama Street in Barangay Concepcion Dos, Marikina City. Su reportedly hit a 62-year-old Filipino pedestrian who was crossing at a designated pedestrian lane. The victim was immediately taken to the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center for treatment of injuries sustained in the incident.
Officers responding to the scene discovered that Su lacked a valid driver's license and any lawful identification. Further investigation by the BI revealed Su as an undocumented and overstaying individual in the Philippines. Records indicated his last entry into the country was in May 2019, accompanied by active derogatory records. These include a deportation case, a watchlist order for misrepresentation, and a previous attempt to leave the country using a fraudulently obtained Philippine birth certificate to falsely claim Filipino citizenship.
Following his handover to BI custody, Su underwent a series of processes including booking, biometric registration, medical examination, and custodial investigation. These steps precede the filing of appropriate immigration charges against him.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado emphasized the commitment to uphold both criminal and immigration laws, stating, "No one can expect to evade both criminal and immigration laws by abusing our systems. We will continue working closely with our law enforcement partners to identify, arrest, and remove foreign nationals who pose a threat to public safety and undermine the integrity of our immigration system."
