An American national wanted in his home country for allegedly sexually abusing a minor was recently arrested by the Bureau of Immigration in Angeles City, Pampanga.
Robert Carlos Ramirez, 50, was apprehended on September 10 at Camp Tomas Pepito following a request for assistance from the United States Embassy in Manila.
He is facing an arrest warrant issued by the Northeast District County of Los Angeles, California, for the alleged continuous sexual abuse of a minor, a felony.
The US Embassy sought the BI’s aid in arresting Ramirez, whose US passport has been revoked.
BI records showed that Ramirez last arrived in the Philippines on July 20, 2023 and was admitted as a temporary visitor.
He has overstayed his authorized period of stay and has an existing derogatory record with the BI. He is also subject to deportation proceedings.
Ramirez is currently detained at the Angeles City Jail in Camp Tomas Pepito, Angeles City, Pampanga.
This is pending the resolution of a case involving alleged violations of Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, as amended by RAs 10364 and 11862.
“The Bureau of Immigration will continue to perform its mandate to ensure that the Philippines is never a safe haven for fugitives, especially those accused of crimes against children. We will continue to work closely with our international law-enforcement partners to locate and apprehend individuals who pose a threat to our communities,” BI commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said.
The arrest is part of the BI’s “Shield Kids” campaign, which seeks to prevent the Philippines from becoming a safe haven for fugitives accused of crimes against children.
The BI said continued cooperation with foreign law-enforcement and diplomatic authorities is essential to strengthening border security and preventing wanted individuals from evading justice in the Philippines.