BI denies PH entry to 2 ‘undesirable’ foreign men over sex crimes

The Bureau of Immigration denies entry of two foreign men over sex crimes. The foreigners are Australian Gideon Hayes (left) and American James Riley Grant (right). Photo from the BI

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) barred two foreign men from entering the country for being convicted in cases related to sexual exploitation.

American James Riley Grant and Australian Gideon Hayes were intercepted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) on December 22 and 20, respectively, according to the BI.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said they were stopped at the airport because, under the Philippine Immigration Act, foreigners charged and convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude should not be allowed to enter the country.

READ: Nearly 3,000 foreigners denied PH entry, so far — BI

The BI said Grant is a registered sex offender in Jacksonville, Florida. He was convicted of sex crimes 25 years ago.

“A Florida court reportedly convicted Grant on two counts of attempted Rape in the first and second degree as well as on two counts of taking indecent liberties with children, also in the first and second degree,” it said in a statement.

Hayes, meanwhile, was convicted in Australia in 2004 for two counts of indecent treatment of children. He received a two-year probation sentence, the BI said.

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It likewise noted that Hayes admitted to sending money to Filipino children whom he met online or during his previous trips to the Philippines.

“He was said to be traveling to the county to meet with minors offering sexual services,” the BI said.

Tansingco said Grant and Hayes are included in the BI’s blacklist.

In the same release, Tansingco lamented the upsurge in the arrival of foreign sex offenders https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1868528/fwd-daily-trend-on-rso-arrival#ixzz8MsKfamPG in the country despite published reports that they are being barred by immigration officers in the ports.

“We have noticed an upsurge in the arrival of foreign sex offenders in our ports,” he lamented.  “Despite published reports of their exclusions they keep coming here but we remain undeterred in our efforts to enforce the law against these unwanted aliens.”