American fugitive wanted in Texas arrested in Cebu

An American fugitive accused of serious crimes back home has been tracked down and arrested in Danao City, Cebu, immigration authorities confirmed.

The 44-year-old foreign national was collared on April 29 in a joint operation by the Bureau of Immigration’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU), local police, and U.S. authorities.

Authorities said the American is wanted in Texas for allegedly threatening to release intimate visual material and for attempted aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Adding to his rap sheet, the suspect reportedly has a prior conviction for felony aggravated assault in Arizona.

Immigration records revealed the foreigner entered the Philippines in March 2025 as a temporary visitor but overstayed beyond June 2025, making him an illegal alien. He was also tagged as an undesirable foreign national.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado issued a stern warning, stressing that the Philippines is no safe haven for fugitives trying to escape justice.

The suspect is now under police custody in Danao City and is set to be transferred to the BI Warden Facility in Manila, where deportation proceedings will be filed against him.

Authorities vowed to continue their crackdown on foreign fugitives attempting to hide in the country.