MANILA—Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado on Wednesday reported the interception of Hao Bin, a 57-year-old Chinese fugitive, at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.

Hao was stopped on December 1 while attempting to transit through the Philippines from Singapore to the United States. BI INTERPOL Unit Chief Peter David de Guzman said the interception was triggered by the Bureau’s Advance Passenger Information System (APIS), which flagged her prior to arrival.

The APIS collects and analyzes passenger information in advance to facilitate vetting and risk assessment.

Hao is the subject of an Interpol red notice issued in 2024 in connection with a case in China. She has been charged with misappropriating funds under Article 272 of Chinese criminal law and faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

According to reports, from 2019 to 2022, Hao and her associates embezzled over CNY 977.85 million (approximately PHP 8.1 billion) by abusing their positions. The case was filed by the Qingdao Economic and Technological Development Zone Branch of Qingdao Public Security Bureau in 2023.

Following the interception, BI INTERPOL immediately coordinated with Chinese authorities, who ensured Hao’s return to China to face charges.