Familiar dangers
MANILA, Jan 21 (dpa): A US national wanted for alleged possession and distribution of child pornography in the United States has been arrested in the southern Philippines after lying low in the country for over two years, the immigration bureau has announced.
The 68-year-old fugitive was apprehended in the southern city of Cagayan De Oro on Tuesday (Jan 18) and will face extradition proceedings in Manila, according to Fortunato Manahan Jr, chief of the Bureau of Immigration’s intelligence division.
The bureau launched a manhunt for the suspect after receiving reports from US authorities that the suspect was the subject of 34 arrest warrants for possession and distribution of child pornography.
The immigration bureau said the fugitive had been hiding in the Philippines since October 2019, and that his passport had been revoked by the US government during that time.
"The presence of such criminals poses a risk to our country's women and children, hence he should immediately be deported and banned from returning," said Jaime Morente, head commissioner of the Philippines Bureau of Immigration.
