2 foreigners with criminal charges arrested -- BI

CLARK FREEPORT --- The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced the arrest of two foreign nationals facing criminal charges in their respective countries.

The two are set to be deported to their homelands, according to the agency.

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco identified the two as South Korean Lee

Yeonghak, 44, and American Stan Ray Hudgins, 63.

They were arrested in two separate operations conducted in Manila and Pampanga by operatives of BI’s fugitive search unit ( FSU) .

Lee was collared on Wednesday along Maria Orosa Street, Ermita while Hudgins was apprehended Tuesday in Mabalacat.

The suspects were both arrested on the strength of mission orders that Tansingco issued at the request of the South Korean and US au t h or i t i es.

They are now detained at the BI warden facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City pending deportation proceedings.

Tansingco said the duo will be deported for being undesirable aliens and for being undocumented as a result of the cancellation of their passports by their governments.

BI-FSU acting Rendel Ryan Sy said Lee is wanted by authorities in Seoul for involvement in illegal online gaming operations.

A warrant for his arrest was issued by the Daegu district prosecutor’s office.

He was accused of setting up gambling sites on the Internet violating his country’s laws against illegal gambling.

He allegedly connived with the head of a syndicate in establishing the said online gaming sites since 2022 where they raked profits amounting to 90 billion won, or roughly US$67 million.

As for Hudgins, Sy said the American has a warrant of arrest issued by a family court in Richard County, South Carolina after he was charged for non-payment of child support.

Intelligence reports described Hudgins as armed and dangerous as he always carries a deadly weapon.