By Jun Ramirez
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is deporting an American and a Korean who are both wanted for serious crimes in their countries.
Bureau of Immigration (Manila Bulletin File Photo)
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente identified the American fugitive as 56-year-old Joel Pasay Aquino, who was arrested last Saturday in Angeles City, Pampanga, and the Korean as 60-year-old Kim Jae Hyoung, who was caught the same day in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.
Morente said Aquino is wanted for child pornography in Nevada while Mr. Kim is a notorious swindler in Korea.
“These are very serious offenses, and their stay here poses a risk to our people. They are undesirable aliens who should be deported immediately,” said the BI chief.
It was gathered that Aquino is wanted by federal authorities in Nevada for “receipt of child pornography” and a warrant for his arrest has been issued by a US district court there.
US federal laws makes it a separate crime for receiving child pornography and a person found guilty of knowingly distributing or receiving any material that contains images or videos of child pornography may be sentenced to a minimum of five years to as high as 20 years in prison.
On the other hand, Kim has a standing warrant of arrest for fraud issued by a district court in Seoul for swindling a compatriot of more than $234 million.
Authorities alleged that Kim induced his female victim to wire transfer the money to his account on the promise that it would earn interest.
However, he absconded with the money and fled to Manila.
A check of the BI’s travel database showed that Kim hid in the Philippines for more than four years.