BI nabs American fugitive while attempting to renew US passport

US Embassy in Manila (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)

Even while hiding from authorities, an American wanted in the US for rape is willing to make his travel documents in order as he made an appointment with the US embassy for his passport renewal, which eventually led to his arrest by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente identified the American national as Teodoro Lumaban Jr., 53, who is wanted in Virginia for raping a child. He was arrested near the US embassy along Roxas Boulevard in Manila by operatives of BI’s fugitive search unit (FSU).

Lumaban was about to renew his US passport at the embassy when he was accosted by the arresting agents who were armed with a warrant of deportation signed by Morente.

“I signed the said warrant pursuant to a summary deportation order that the BI board of commissioners issued against him (Lumaban) for being an undocumented and undesirable alien,” the BI chief said.

Morente said Lumaban’s passport has been cancelled by the US government. The BI, on the other hand, already issued a deportation order for posing risk to public safety and security due to his being a fugitive from justice.

According to Bobby Raquepo, BI-FSU acting head, 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.

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’s name was already placed in the BI blacklist and US federal agents are expected to fetch and escort him back to the US. JPV