MANILA, Philippines, Feb. 12, 2026 — Three members of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club from New Zealand were barred from entering the Philippines after immigration authorities flagged them for alleged links to an international criminal organization.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed that Alexander Michael Schmalkuchen, 38; Stanley Savinata Sunguturanga, 41; and Ethan Schipper, all New Zealand passport holders, were intercepted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). 

Schmalkuchen and Sunguturanga arrived at NAIA Terminal 3 on February 7 aboard a China Southern flight from Guangzhou, China, while Schipper arrived on a similar flight on February 9.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the three were subjected to verification after their names registered a hit in the INTERPOL database. BI Interpol Chief Peter de Guzman explained that further checks confirmed they were subjects of a diffusion notice involving a criminal organization. 

“They were found to have multiple prior convictions in various countries and were identified as members of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club,” de Guzman stated.

The Hells Angels, founded in the United States in 1948, is considered an outlaw motorcycle gang and has long been monitored internationally for alleged involvement in organized crime, including drug trafficking, extortion, and violent offenses. Authorities said the exclusion order was issued to protect public safety and national security. 

“We are closely coordinating with INTERPOL and other law enforcement agencies to ensure that individuals with criminal backgrounds are prevented from entering the country,” Viado added.

The three New Zealand nationals were placed on the next available outbound flights back to their port of origin. Immigration officials stressed that the Philippines will continue to enforce strict border controls against foreign nationals flagged for criminal activities abroad.

The incident has drawn attention to the country’s ongoing efforts to strengthen border security amid rising concerns about transnational crime. Analysts say the move reflects the Philippines’ commitment to international cooperation in combating organized crime networks.

This case underscores how global law enforcement coordination, particularly through INTERPOL, plays a crucial role in preventing suspected criminal elements from exploiting international travel routes.