An Italian wanted in his country for sexual abuse of a 10-year-old girl and whose passport had expired in 2017 has been arrested in Cebu City, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Wednesday, April 10.
The fugitive foreigner was identified as Stefano Todeschini, 57, who was arrested last April 5 in Lahug, Cebu City by operatives of BI's Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU).
“This should serve as another warning to foreign criminals that the long arm of the law with catch them wherever they might hide,” declared BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco in a statement.
Tansingco said Todeschini's arrest was based on a mission order he issued on request of the Italian Embassy in Manila. Tedeschini's deportation was also requested, he said.
He also said that the Italian is subject of a red notice issued by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) based on the arrest warrant against him by a court in Vicenza, Italy.
“Todeschini was reportedly charged before the said court for rape and sexual assault against a minor in violation of the Italian Penal Code,” the BI said..
It said that "prosecutors alleged that Todeschini committed the crimes against a 10-year-old girl on multiple occasions." Also, it said, he is an undocumented alien as his Italian passport had already expired in May 2017.
Todeschini is now detained at the BI’s facility in Taguig City pending his deportation.