A 66-year-old American, who had been convicted of rape in his country, was denied entry to the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said.
The BI identified the American as Charles Harry Cooper who arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 from Taiwan last Sunday, Oct. 8.
Upon his arrival, the BI said Cooper claimed “to be merely visiting for tourism purposes and will be staying in Pasay City.”
However, the bureau said its immigration officers stopped the American after learning about his conviction.
“Information received by the BI show that Cooper was convicted in the United States in 2009 of statutory rape in the 1st degree and statutory sodomy for a person under 14, as well as molestation in the 1st degree,” BI said.
It said that Cooper was required to board the next available flight back to his country of origin.
“These predators are not welcome in the Philippines. Any sex offender who attempt to enter the country will be turned back and blacklisted,” Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said.