Passenger From U.S. Held at NAIA Over VAWC Case

A 73-year-old passenger arriving from Honolulu, Hawaii, was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport after an outstanding warrant dating back more than a decade surfaced during immigration processing.

The arrest happened on August 9, 2026, at NAIA Terminal 1 after the Bureau of Immigration system flagged an active warrant issued in 2014.

Immigration personnel immediately intercepted the passenger and coordinated with NAIA Police Station 1 to verify the warrant.

Authorities later confirmed that the warrant had been issued on February 5, 2014, in connection with an alleged violation of Republic Act No. 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004.

The case involves an alleged violation of Section 5(i) in relation to Section 6(f) of the law. Bail was set at ₱24,000.

During questioning, authorities said the accused admitted that he was aware of the case filed against him.

He reportedly told investigators that he stopped giving financial support to his former partner after she allegedly demanded that he turn over half of his salary to her.

Following verification, the passenger was turned over to NAIA Police Station 1 and later placed under the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, NCRFU SMMDFU, for documentation and further legal action.

PNP Aviation Security Group Director PBGEN Dionisio B. Bartolome Jr. warned that the passage of time does not erase an outstanding court order.

He said authorities will continue strengthening coordination among the PNP Aviation Security Group, airport officials and other government agencies to ensure that valid warrants are enforced.

The allegations against the accused remain subject to court proceedings.