THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced the arrest of an overstaying Briton who has a record of convictions on sex offenses in the United Kingdom (UK).
In a statement, Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco identified the Briton as Peter Joseph Wheeler, 44, who was arrested last Saturday at his residence in a subdivision in Taytay, Rizal by operatives from the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU).
Tansingco said Wheeler will be deported for being an undesirable alien due to his record as a sex offender, and for being an undocumented alien as his passport had already expired a year and a half ago.
“I issued the mission order for his arrest after we received information that he is a convicted sex offender who pose a threat to our women and children,” the BI Chief said.
He disclosed that the Briton was convicted in 2009 for making, possessing, and distributing indecent photographs of children.
Consequently, he was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, and required to enlist in the United Kingdom’s registry of sex offenders.
Wheeler was also declared as a sexual harm for life, thus making him a registrable sex offender in the UK for life.
“Sex offenders are not welcome in the Philippines,” said Tansingco. “These individuals with a criminal past, convicted of crimes, especially those committed against children do not deserve the privilege to stay in the Philippines,” Tansingco declared.
The Briton is currently detained at the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City pending deportation proceedings
