BI Bars from Phl: 3 New Zealand Nationals Linked to Hells Angels

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado

BI Bars from Phl: 3 New Zealand Nationals Linked to Hells Angels

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | February 12, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has blocked the entry of three New Zealand nationals flagged by INTERPOL for their alleged connections to the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC), a notorious international organization with a long history of alleged criminal activity. 

The incident underscores the Philippines’ commitment to bolstering border security and preventing the nation from becoming a haven for transnational criminal elements.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified the individuals as Alexander Michael Schmalkuchen, 38; Stanley Savinata Sunguturanga, 41; and Ethan Schipper, all carrying New Zealand passports.

 Schmalkuchen and Sunguturanga arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on February 7 aboard a China Southern flight originating from Guangzhou. Schipper followed suit, arriving on a similar flight on February 9.

According to Peter de Guzman, Chief of the BI’s INTERPOL Unit, immigration officers flagged the three men upon their arrival after their names triggered alerts within the INTERPOL database.

Subsequent verification confirmed that all three were subjects of a diffusion notice, a mechanism used by INTERPOL to disseminate critical information concerning individuals of interest to law enforcement agencies worldwide.

Further investigation revealed a troubling history for the trio. 

Authorities discovered that Schmalkuchen, Sunguturanga, and Schipper possess extensive criminal records spanning multiple countries and have been identified as members of the HAMC, an outlaw motorcycle gang under intense international scrutiny for its alleged involvement in a wide range of organized criminal enterprises. 

These activities reportedly include drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, and violent crimes.

Based on these findings, the BI invoked the Philippine Immigration Act, which explicitly prohibits the admission of foreign nationals whose presence is deemed detrimental to public safety and national security. All three men were promptly excluded from the country and denied entry.

Commissioner Viado issued a stern warning, emphasizing the Philippines’ unwavering commitment to preventing its territory from being exploited by transnational criminal organizations. “The Philippines will not serve as a safe haven or transit point for members of transnational criminal organizations,” Viado declared.

He further stated, “We are closely coordinating with INTERPOL and our international counterparts to ensure that individuals linked to organized crime are detected and stopped at our borders. In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen border security and intensify the campaign against transnational crime, the Bureau remains relentless in protecting our ports of entry from high-risk individuals.”

This latest action by the BI underscores the Philippines’ proactive approach to combating transnational crime and its dedication to upholding national security by preventing the entry of individuals with known or suspected links to criminal organizations. 

The incident serves as a clear message that the Philippines is committed to working with international partners to safeguard its borders and prevent the nation from becoming a base of operations for illicit activities.

(Photo courtesy: Bureau of Immigration)