Fil-Canadian fugitive wanted for rape falls at NAIA

Instead of a warm welcome home, a 66-year-old Filipino-Canadian national was met by police officers and handcuffs after landing at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 from Vancouver, Canada on May 6, 2026.

The elderly passenger was immediately arrested in a coordinated law enforcement operation after authorities discovered he was allegedly wanted for rape.

Personnel from the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP AVSEGROUP), Bureau of Immigration, Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office, and San Leonardo Municipal Police Station joined forces to track the suspect’s arrival and intercept him the moment he stepped into the airport arrival area.

Authorities served two non-bailable warrants of arrest for rape issued by a Regional Trial Court in Angeles City, Pampanga on September 25, 2023.

Investigators said the suspect, a resident of Nueva Ecija who also holds Canadian citizenship, was escorted to NAIA Police Station 1 where he was formally informed of the charges against him and his constitutional rights.

The arrest was also recorded using an Alternative Recording Device (ARD) in line with police procedures.

After processing, the suspect was turned over to the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office for proper disposition.

“This operation reflects our firm commitment to strong inter-agency coordination to ensure that individuals with serious criminal warrants are swiftly apprehended and held accountable under the law,” said Dionisio B. Bartolome Jr., director of the PNP Aviation Security Group.