Foreigner arrested, faces deportation

MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Immigration started deportation proceedings against a Korean national wanted in his country for alleged defrauding people of more than $8 million by cheating them in gambling.

Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. identified the Korean as Kim Tae Dong, 54, who was arrested last July 5 at the Ortigas Center in Pasig City.

Kim was arrested by operatives of the BI fugitive search unit on the strength of a mission order that David issued following a request from the Korean embassy in Manila.

The embassy sought Kim’s arrest and deportation to Korea after a warrant of arrest was issued against him by the Dongbu district court in Seoul.

“We will expel him as soon as the board of commissioners issues the order for his summary deportation,” David said, adding that the Korean will be blacklisted and banned from re-entering the Philippines for being an undesirable alien.

David also commended the arresting agents led by BI Fugitive Serach Unit head Uso Dan Salasim for refusing the bribe money that Kim offered in exchange for his release.

Lawyer Maria Antonette Bucasas-Mangrobang, BI intelligence chief said that Kim, along with nine other suspects, is wanted for cheating in Baccarat.

Kim and his accomplices allegedly committed the crime thrice at the casino of the Walkerhill Hotel in Seoul on Jan. 3 and 23 and on Dec. 23 in 2010.

Immigration records showed that Kim arrived in the country on April 8 this year and was subsequently issued a working visa by the BI.

“But the said visa will be cancelled as a consequence of his being a fugitive from justice and an undesirable alien,” Mangrobang said.