The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has barred nearly 200 foreign sex offenders from entering the Philippines during the first six months of the year.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said the 176 foreigners were denied entry due to their record as registered sex offenders (RSOs) or individuals convicted or are wanted for sex crimes in their home countries.
He said the foreigners also have records of child abuse, child trafficking, child pornography, and marriage for convenience racket.
Morente said the number of sex offenders who were turned back so far this year already exceeded last year’s record of 136.
By nationality, the BI said Americans topped the list with 131 followed by 19 Australians and 19 Britons.
Also in the list are three New Zealanders, a Canadian, a Colombian, an Irish, and a resident of Guam.
MariƱas said the BI continues to receive regular bulletins from its partner agencies abroad, including the Interpol, United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, and UK’s National Crime Agency, regarding persons who have been convicted of or are wanted for sex crimes. —ALG, GMA News