THE Bureau of Immigration barred an American convicted of sex crimes from entering the country recently.
Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said Charles Harry Cooper, 66, was not allowed to enter the country after arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport last October 8.
Cooper, according to Tansingco, arrived aboard a China Air flight from Taipei.
“He claimed he was merely visiting for tourism purposes and will be staying in Pasay City,” the BI chief said.
“BI officers prevented his entry and required him to board the next available flight back to his country of origin,” he added.
Information provided by US authorities to the BI showed that Cooper was convicted in 2009 for statutory rape in the first degree and statutory sodomy for a person under 14 years old, as well as molestation in the first degree.
“These predators are not welcome in the Philippines. Any sex offender who attempts to enter the country will be turned back and blacklisted,” Tansingco said.
Cooper was the sixth American sex offender who has been barred from entering the country since last August.
A Briton was also barred from entering the country in the same period.
Earlier, Tansingco expressed concern about the possible resurgence of sex tourism after the reopening of the country’s border following the easing of travel restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus.
