A former chief executive of Ocean Adventure in Subic Bay Freeport has evaded summary deportation, prompting the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to issue a lookout order for convicted American fraudster Timothy Desmond.

Desmond, who was ordered deported in 2016 for allegedly defrauding investors of hundreds of millions of pesos in the Ocean Adventure theme park venture, was recently released from the Olongapo City District Jail despite a final deportation order from the BI. Authorities failed to transfer him to immigration custody upon completion of his sentence — a mandatory procedure under Philippine law.

According to Atty. Laddie B. Barredo of the Barredo Law Office in Olongapo City, the jail erroneously released Desmond, claiming he had been turned over to a BI satellite office.

The American national, now 76, was convicted for perjury linked to a long-running corporate fraud scheme.

“If you have any information on his whereabouts, please contact the Bureau of Immigration immediately,” Barredo said.

The legal counsel expressed frustration over the abrupt release.

“We are back to square one. After 20 years of litigation to put this criminal in jail and get him deported, a single jail official has undone it all with the stroke of a pen.”

Barredo lamented the failure of detention authorities to uphold the deportation directive.

“Where is the accountability? The Bureau of Immigration did its job. The courts did their job. But now, a man who stole from Filipino investors and was convicted by a Filipino court has been set free by a Filipino jail warden. It's a betrayal of public trust.”

He reiterated the call for public vigilance and urged individuals not to confront Desmond if spotted.

“We are calling on the public. If you see this man, do not approach him. Contact the Bureau of Immigration immediately. Help us ensure that justice is finally served.”

Barredo stressed that Desmond should have been deported to the United States for being an undesirable alien.

He cited that under Commonwealth Act No. 613, the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, “upon completion of service of sentence, PDL Desmond should be turned over to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) detention facility for summary deportation.” Rule 9 of the BI likewise mandates summary deportation for foreigners who have fully served sentences for their crimes.

Desmond’s current whereabouts remain unknown as the BI’s summary deportation order still stands, raising questions about the reliability of detention and immigration coordination in handling undesirable aliens in the country.