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7 Jun, 2014

Manila Bulletin: Sex offenders to be barred from entering Philippines

by Jun Ramirez

June 5, 2014, Manila Bulletin –  The Bureau of Immigration (BI) banned the entry of foreigners who are registered sex offenders in other countries.

BI Commissioner Siegfred Mison on Thursday said any alien whose name is found in the registry of sex offenders kept by foreign embassies and other watch groups will be issued an order to leave within 15 days upon arrival.

In an operations order, the BI chief said these undesirable visitors clearly pose a threat to public safety.

Just recently, the BI deported an American national due to a sexual assault case. Back in February, five fugitives who were facing the same charges in their homelands were simultaneously deported.

The BI chief listed the guidelines to ensure speedy proceedings against foreign sex offender.

Within 24 hours from receipt of derogatory records from a foreign embassy, the BI legal division shall immediately prepare the deportation order and include his/her name in the BI blacklist preventing him from returning.

Mison said all relevant information against the sex offender shall be attached to the travel records, alien registration records and derogatory records to form part of the sex offender file.