British national involved in child abuse, pornography arrested in Rizal

After more than 10 years of hiding in the Philippines, authorities in Taytay, Rizal arrested a British national who allegedly has a case of child abuse and child pornography in the United Kingdom.

The authorities identified the suspect as Peter Joseph Wheeler, who was arrested by the Bureau of Immigration Fugitive Seach Unit on 6 December.

Wheeler was allegedly convicted in 2009 for making, possessing, and distributing indecent photographs of children. It is reported that Wheeler also has records of sexual offenses against several minors in England.

According to Bureau of Immigration Fugitive Search Unit Chief Rendel Sy, 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.

The Bureau of Immigration is now working on the deportation procedures against Wheeler.

BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said that Wheeler is already blacklisted in the country.

"Wheeler's permanent visa has been canceled. Once the deportation is implemented, he will not be able to return to the Philippines because of his blacklisting," Sandoval said.

Wheeler is currently detained at Camp Bagong Diwa.