Arrested pedophile Italian national Lorenzo Marchesi, accused of preying on Filipino minors, was arrested by the Bureau of Immigration at the Davao International Airport. A. CHING

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested an Italian national who was accused of preying on Filipino minors during his frequent visits to the country at the Davao International Airport (DIA) last 8 November.

According to BI intelligence chief Fortunato Manahan Jr., the arrested Italian was identified as Lorenzo Marchesi, 57, who was about to leave the country but was barred by BI officers and intelligence agents from boarding his flight due to a mission order issued by BI Commissioner Jaime Morente.

Melody Gonzales, head of the BI’s Mindanao intelligence task group, said Marchesi is a respondent to several criminal complaints filed with the Davao City prosecutor’s office and Philippine National Police’s women and children’s protection desk as he was reportedly engaging minors for sexual acts in exchange for money.

The BI also received reports on Marchesi’s immoral activities with complaints ranging from alleged violation of the expanded anti-trafficking act, cyber-crime law and anti-child abuse act.

Upon checking the BI’s travel database, it showed that Marchesi has been going in and out of the country since January this year via the DIA and Mactan-Cebu International Airport.