Manila (ANTARA News) - Philippine authorities have arrested 13 foreign fugitives wanted for various crimes in their home countries in the first quarter of this year, a senior official said on Wednesday.

Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. said the fugitives, four American, two Japanese, two Korean, two Chinese, a Swiss, an Irish and a German, were arrested between January and March in operations conducted by intelligence agents from the bureau`s fugitive search unit.

David said five of the foreigners were already deported and are presently serving prison terms for their crimes.

The others who are still confined at the Bicutan immigration jail will be expelled as soon as the bureau obtains the clearances for their deportation, he said.

David said he issued the mission orders for the arrest of the foreign fugtives at the request of the Interpol and foreign embassies in Manila.

Those arrested were wanted for serious crimes such as kidnapping, robbery, smuggling, fraud, child abduction, money laundering, burglary and illegal gambling.

Xinhua-0ANA

Editor: Jafar M Sidik
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