An American national from Colorado was barred upon his entry at Ninoy Aquino International Airport - Terminal 1 (NAIA-1) on October 8, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
BI said that the man identified as Charles Harry Cooper, 66, was previously convicted of rape in his country.
Immigration officers apprehended Cooper as he boarded a China Air flight from Taiwan. He stated that he was only traveling for tourism and would be staying in Pasay City.
Based on the BI's investigation, Cooper was convicted in the United States (US) in 2009 for statutory rape in the 1st degree and statutory sodomy for a person under 14 years old, as well as molestation in the 1st degree.
The probe's result has prompted BI officers to prevent the American national to enter into the country, and directed him to board the next available flight back to his country of origin.
According to BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco, "sex offenders have no place in the country."
“These predators are not welcome in the Philippines,” said Tansingco. “Any sex offender who attempt to enter the country will be turned back and blacklisted,” he said.
