British sex offender nabbed
Wheeler was also declared guilty of sexual harm for life, thus making him a registrable sex offender in the UK for life
(File Photo)
Daily TribuneWheeler was also declared guilty of sexual harm for life, thus making him a registrable sex offender in the UK for life
(File Photo)
The Bureau of Immigration announced on Thursday afternoon the arrest of an overstaying British who has a record of convictions on sex offenses in the United Kingdom.
BI commissioner Norman Tansingco identified the suspect as Peter Joseph Wheeler, who was arrested last Saturday at his residence in a subdivision in Taytay, Rizal, by the BI Fugitive Search Unit operatives.
Tansingco disclosed that due to Wheeler's history as a sexual offender and the fact that his passport has been expired for more than a year, he will be deported for being an unauthorized immigrant and undesirable alien.
The BI chief added that he issued the mission order for his arrest after the agency received information that he is a convicted sex offender who poses a threat to women and children.
Based on the information received by the Bureau, Wheeler was found guilty in 2009 of creating, owning, and disseminating offensive images of children. As a result, he received a sentence of 24 months in prison and had to register with the UK's registry of sexual offenders.
Wheeler was also declared guilty of sexual harm for life, thus making him a registrable sex offender in the UK for life.
"Sex offenders are not welcome in the Philippines," said Tansingco. "These individuals with a criminal past, convicted of crimes, especially those committed against children, do not deserve the privilege to stay in the Philippines."
Meanwhile, BI Fugitive Search Unit chief Rendel Sy said that Wheeler entered the country in 2012.
"He had a minor with him which he said is his son. We interviewed him at the Department of Social Welfare and Development to see if there were any signs of abuse. We also checked the neighborhood of Wheeler to see if someone might have been a victim of the suspect," Sy said in an interview.
Wheeler is currently detained at the BI Warden facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, pending deportation proceedings.
With Gilmore LeaÑo