Philippine immigration orders deportation of alleged US fugitive

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration has started deportation proceedings against an American fugitive wanted in the US for a string of criminal cases.

Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. said he ordered the immediate deportation of Steven Wayne McRaven, 53, so he could be prosecuted, tried and sentenced.

“I instructed our legal division to expedite his deportation so we can expel him as soon as possible. We will also put him in our blacklist,” David said.

McRaven was issued an arrest warrant by a district court in eastern Tennessee where he was convicted for gun possession.

The US government has cancelled the McRaven’s passport, thus making him an undocumented alien.

“Under our immigration laws, an alien whose passport has been revoked automatically loses his privilege to stay in the country,” lawyer Maria Antonette Mangrobang, Immigration acting intelligence chief said.

She added that aside from gun possession, McRaven is also facing charges before other US courts, such as criminal impersonation, aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, and aggravated kidnapping, and dangerous felony with a firearm.

David had issued a mission order to BI Interpol Unit chief Bernard Cruzata Jr. to arrest the suspect in his residence in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental last May 12.

Records showed that the American has been in the country since September 30 last year when he arrived as a tourist and was allowed to stay for 21 days. He has, however, continued to stay.

Originally posted at 9:42 am | Wednesday, May 25th, 2011