By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – Operatives of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested a British national tagged as a registered sex offender in his home country during an enforcement operation in Sta. Fe, Romblon.
In a news release Wednesday, BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said Andrew Charles Beaumont, 47, was arrested by the bureau’s Fugitive Search unit in Sitio Cabalian on Feb. 16, pursuant to a mission order issued earlier this month.
Records show that Beaumont is a registered sex offender in the United Kingdom and is subject to a life-long Sexual Offence Notification Order issued in 2012.
He was also convicted in Australia in 2009 on multiple charges involving the sexual abuse of a minor. Court records showed that the suspect, a former teacher, was sentenced to four years and six months of imprisonment, with a three-year non-parole period, after engaging in repeated sexual activity with a 15-year-old victim over a six-week period.
At the time of his arrest, the foreigner was allegedly providing diving lessons and demonstrating scuba equipment for a fee. He is reportedly known in the area for managing a local diving business.
Initial verification with the BI database revealed that Beaumont last arrived in the Philippines on Sept. 19, 2022 and was admitted as a temporary visitor.
Records show that his last authorized extension expired in November 2023, making him an overstaying alien.
The British national will remain in the BI Warden’s Facility pending his deportation.
The operation was carried out in coordination with the Philippine National Police–Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (PNP-IG), PNP Intelligence Group Regional Intelligence Unit 4-B, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Romblon Provincial Field Unit, Regional Intelligence Division Police Regional Office Romblon Tracker Team, and government intelligence forces. (PNA)
