SEN. Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday called on the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to strengthen international coordination to track and apprehend criminals who evade arrest through so-called “backdoor” exits, including those involved in the trafficking of illicit tobacco and vape products. In a statement, Gatchalian said authorities must intensify information-sharing with foreign immigration offices and law enforcement agencies, citing what he described as a growing trend of smugglers and high-profile fugitives fleeing the country undetected. “There have been increasing reports of illicit cigarettes being smuggled into the country,” Gatchalian said, noting that he had earlier filed a resolution seeking a Senate inquiry into the proliferation of illegal tobacco products and their impact on government revenues and public health. He pointed to the case of Alice Guo, also known as Guo Hua Ping, as an example of how international cooperation can lead to the arrest of fugitives. Guo, a Chinese national and former mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, was sentenced to life imprisonment for human trafficking linked to Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) activities. After fleeing the Philippines, she was arrested with Interpol's assistance and returned to the country in coordination with Indonesian authorities. The Alice Guo experience highlights the need for coordination with the international community. “Immigration offices in other countries are a vital source of information,” Gatchalian said. He said several prominent personalities have managed to evade arrest by slipping out of the country through unauthorized routes. Among those he mentioned were former presidential spokesman Harry Roque, former Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo Teves Jr., and gaming businessman Atong Ang. “The world now is literally borderless. Any person with a high-profile personality and money can pay to get through the backdoor,” Gatchalian said. “The other method that we can do is to increase our coordination and information sharing.” Gatchalian emphasized that improving border security requires not only tighter domestic enforcement but also stronger collaboration with international counterparts to monitor movements of persons of interest, dismantle smuggling networks, and prevent revenue losses from illicit trade. Illicit tobacco and vape products have long been flagged by authorities for depriving the government of billions of pesos in excise taxes, while also posing regulatory and health concerns. Gatchalian urged the BI to review existing monitoring systems, enhance intelligence-sharing mechanisms, and deepen partnerships with foreign immigration and law enforcement agencies to ensure that fugitives and smugglers are held accountable.