Manila: The Bureau of Immigration (BI), through the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS), has intercepted two foreign fugitives attempting to take refuge in the country. In a statement Friday, the bureau reported that a Mongolian national and a Turkish national were prevented from entering the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on Jan. 1.

According to Philippines News Agency, Battulga Ganbold, a 30-year-old Mongolian national who arrived from Vietnam, was denied entry after records showed he has a standing warrant of arrest in South Korea for a drug-related offense. Meanwhile, Ercan Mutlu, a 37-year-old Turkish national arriving from Japan, was likewise barred after being confirmed as a fugitive wanted in Trkiye for sexual exploitation and prostitution.

Melvin Mabulac, BI deputy spokesperson and chief of the APIS Operations Center (APOC), said the APIS was donated by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, with the support of the Australian government. The system provides advanced intelligence that enables authorities to identify high-risk passengers even before their arrival. He said advance alerts were generated while the subjects were still airborne.

The APOC immediately coordinated with the BI Interpol Unit, and after verifying and confirming the international warrants, promptly relayed the information to immigration personnel at NAIA Terminal 1, allowing timely interception upon arrival.