BI to deport American wanted for fraud

An American fugitive who faces wire fraud and money laundering charges in the US is set to be deported following his arrest in Pasig City, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said yesterday.

Robert Leslie Oliver is now detained at the BI detention center in Bicutan, Taguig City pending deportation proceedings against him, Immigration Commissioner Alipio Fernandez said.

Oliver was arrested by agents of the BI and National Bureau of Investigation last April 26 at his house on Sta. Clara street in Barangay Kapitolyo upon the request of the US Embassy in Manila.

Fernandez said their records also showed that the American had been overstaying in the country when he was arrested, making him a candidate for deportation for being an illegal and undesirable alien.

According to the request of the US Embassy sent to the BI last April 21, the fugitive was indicted for his alleged involvement in wire fraud and money laundering on March 24, 2004. He has a standing arrest warrant issued by the US district court in California.

Although the embassy did not give further details about his case, it tipped local authorities on the whereabouts of Oliver, who had been living with his Filipina wife.

BI records showed that Oliver arrived in the country last Sept. 20. He has not applied for an extension of his visa.

Fernandez said a team of US Marines is expected to arrive and fetch Oliver, who would be blacklisted and banned form re-entering the country.

Meanwhile, the US Embassy said that the rights of the arrested American national will be protected even as he faces deportation.

Press Attache Matthew Lussenhop said the embassy is waiting for a privacy waiver from Oliver before embassy officials can talk to him about his arrest and the charges of fraud and money laundering he is facing in the US.

"I can’t discuss that until we get a privacy waiver from the person. The embassy will extend assistance to American citizens arrested because we have a responsibility to American nationals," Lussenhop said. – Edu Punay, Pia Lee Brago