Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers denied entry to a 31-year-old South Korean national flagged by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) after his passenger information triggered an alert at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3.
The foreign national, identified as Lee Yongsoo, arrived from Japan aboard a Cebu Pacific flight. His details were detected through the BI’s Advance Passenger Information System (APIS), which is used to screen passenger information before and upon arrival.
The BI-APIS Operations Center (APOC) immediately coordinated with the agency’s Interpol Unit to verify the alert. Authorities confirmed that Lee was the subject of an Interpol notice linked to allegations of money laundering.
According to the BI, Lee was allegedly involved in the distribution of illicitly obtained bank accounts with accomplices for use in laundering money.
Following verification, APOC alerted BI personnel at NAIA Terminal 3. Lee was denied admission into the Philippines and subsequently turned over to the airline for return to his country of origin.
APOC Chief Melvin Mabulac reported the incident to BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, highlighting the role of automated passenger screening and real-time coordination in detecting individuals flagged by international law-enforcement authorities.
The BI said the operation supports the administration’s efforts to strengthen border controls and prevent the entry of individuals linked to transnational crime and other security threats.
Viado said foreign nationals with criminal records or those considered security or public-safety concerns may be denied entry under Philippine laws and regulations.
“Our borders are increasingly protected by technology, intelligence, and real-time coordination,” the BI chief said. “Those with criminal records or ill intent should not expect to gain entry into the Philippines.”
(PHOTO CREDIT: BI Facebook page)