An American fugitive wanted by US federal authorities for raping a child in Virginia, USA was nabbed by immigration agents in Manila.
The suspect, Teodoro Lumaban Jr., was cornered near the US Embassy along Roxas Blvd. in Manila by operatives from the bureau’s fugitive search unit.
Lumaban was about to renew his US passport at the embassy when he was accosted by arresting agents who were armed with a warrant of deportation.
“I issued the warrant pursuant to a summary deportation order that the BI board of commissioners issued against him for being an undocumented and undesirable alien,” BI chief Jaime Morente said.
He said the American’s passport was already canceled by the US government and that he was ordered expelled for posing risk to public safety and security due to his being a fugitive from justice.
“Lumaban had been hiding in the country for more than three years and that he had an appointment with the US Embassy to renew his passport when he was arrested,” Bobby Raquepo, BI-FSU acting head, said.
Raquepo said the fugitive was unaware that his passport was canceled and that the US Embassy, which sought his arrest, had already informed the BI-FSU about his scheduled appointment.
Lumaban is now detained at the BI detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig. He has an outstanding arrest warrant issued by a US district court in Virginia where he was charged with sexually assaulting a minor.
Lumaban’s name had been placed in the BI blacklist and US.