MANILA — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has arrested a Chinese fugitive who was later found to be heading a methamphetamine laboratory in Rizal, the agency reported.

The fugitive, identified as Shi Chunfang, 40, was apprehended on December 14 in a residential area in Taytay, Rizal. Authorities said Shi is wanted by Chinese police for kidnapping and is the subject of a warrant issued by the Public Security Bureau of Jinjiang City in 2024.

The BI said it was also informed by the Chinese embassy that Shi’s passport had been cancelled, rendering him an undocumented alien. He is covered by a blacklist order issued in January and a watchlist order released in July for being an undesirable alien.

Arrested with Shi was Shuguang Fan, 37, who is subject of a BI order to leave issued in 2023 due to his prolonged and unexplained stay in the Philippines.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado dismissed reports claiming that Shi had been released and later rearrested by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

“This fugitive remains in BI custody, after we received government intelligence reports that he is involved in the production of methamphetamine in the Philippines,” Viado said. “We were informed that he is a kingpin in the illicit drug industry, heading a shabu laboratory while posing as an ordinary citizen,” he added.

Viado said Shi’s deportation was initially scheduled for December 16 following a request from the Chinese embassy. However, the deportation was cancelled after authorities received information linking him to illegal drug operations in the country.

“We cannot allow this person to just leave the country and not face his crimes here,” Viado said. “This is a clear attempt to escape liability, and we will not be complicit to that,” he added.

Viado said he immediately coordinated with the Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, noting apparent attempts by “ill-motivated individuals” to confuse the incident, as Shi is an influential community leader in Rizal.

“The cancellation of the implementation of his deportation will ensure that he will not evade justice,” Viado said. “We are now in close coordination with the Philippine National Police for the possible filing of criminal cases against Shi,” he added.

Shi has been returned to BI custody and will remain detained at the bureau’s facility in Muntinlupa City.