A British national reportedly involved in sex-related crimes was arrested by immigration authorities on Thursday.
Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco identified the foreign national as William Hughes, 79, who was intercepted by immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 during his attempted departure to Doha, Qatar.
Border Control and Intelligence Unit (BCIU) Head Dennis Alcedo bared that Hughes arrived last May 16 as a tourist.
The BI later received information from the United Kingdom National Crime Agency, informing that Hughes was involved and convicted in crime of inciting or causing prostitution for gain involving a child 13 to 17 years.
Hughes was reportedly placed in the UK’s Sex Offenders’ register for life. Following the information, the BI initiated deportation proceedings against Hughes.
“Sex offenders who might prey on our children are not welcome in the Philippines,” said Tansingco. “These illegal aliens do not deserve our country’s hospitality, and will be sent out and blacklisted,” he added.
Hughes remains in the BI’s Warden Facility in Bicutan, Taguig pending the resolution of his deportation charge.
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4 foreigners who disrespected flag turned over to BI
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Friday received custody of the four foreigners earlier arrested disrespecting the Philippine flag in Ternate, Cavite.
The three Pakistanis and one Romanian were turned over by the Philippine National Police (PNP) Ternate after being arrested last June 26.
The four previously made headlines after being seen by a member of the Philippine Marine Corps pulling down a Philippine flag, taking turns tearing it, and throwing it away in violation of Republic Act 8491.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said that they will be pursuing a deportation case against the four aliens.
“Foreign nationals staying here must respect our country and our laws,” said Tansingco. “Foreigners destroying symbols of our country show utmost disrespect and do not deserve our hospitality,” he added.
All four have undergone preliminary investigation and were committed in the BI’s Warden Facility in Taguig.
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