American wanted for rape faces deportation – BI

Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has started deportation proceedings of an overstaying American who is wanted for rape in the US.

BI Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. identified on Tuesday the fugitive as Robert Joseph Manship, 58, who was arrested in Maasin City, Leyte last Aug. 1 by elements of the bureau’s fugitive search unit.

Immigration records showed that Manship is wanted by authorities in New Hampshire for the crime of aggravated felonious sexual assault.

The US sought the help of Philippine authorities following the New Hampshire Court’s issuance of a warrant of arrest last May 14. The US government, however, did not give further details on the crime like how and when it was committed or who his victim was.

Manship, according to BI acting intelligence chief Ma. Antonette Mangrobang, has been hiding in the Philippines since January 2008 when he arrived as a tourist.

Mangrobang said the fugitive’s visa has expired thus he has been overstaying here for more than three years.

Manship will be deported as soon as the BI board of commissioners issues the order for his summary deportation, Mangrobang added.