US fugitive, suspected pedophile nabbed in Pangasinan; deportation set

MANILA, Philippines — An American fugitive wanted by authorities in the United States for alleged sexual exploitation of a Filipino minor was nabbed in Pangasinan, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported Tuesday.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said 69-year-old Michael Kent Clapper was arrested Monday in San Manuel, Pangasinan during a joint operation conducted by authorities from the Bureau’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU), Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC) and Philippine National Police (PNP) in the ilocos region.

The arrest came after the US Embassy sought the BI’s assistance in arresting  Clapper due to his “involvement in possible sexual exploitation of a minor in the Philippines.”

Citing “reports”, the immigration bureau said Clapper has allegedly been in an “inappropriate relationship” with a 12-year-old girl.

The US Embassy likewise noted that Clapper’s US passport already expired, making him an undocumented alien in the country who is subject to summary deportation.

Following the request of the US Embassy, Morente issued a mission order for Clapper’s arrest that led to the operation in Pangasinan.

“He will be deported for being an undocumented and undesirable alien,” Morente said.

“His continued presence here poses a serious risk to our Filipino children, anyone of whom could be his next victim,” he added.

BI said Clapper is temporarily detained at the San Manuel police headquarters pending release of his swab test for COVID-19.

If he tests negative for the virus, he will be committed to the BI Warden Facility in Bicutan, Taguig City while awaiting  deportation.

Clapper will likewise be placed in the immigration blacklist and banned from re-entering the country, said BI.

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