Bureau of Immigration officials nab American fugitive

MANILA, Philippines – Operatives of the Bureau of Immigration recently arrested an American fugitive who is wanted by federal authorities in the US for tax evasion. Arrested by elements of the BI Interpol Unit at the residence of his wife in Alubijid, Misamis Oriental was Dougles John Fitzgerald, 68, who hails from Vermont , USA.

In a report to Commissioner Nonoy Libanan yesterday, BI-Interpol unit chief, lawyer Floro Balato Jr. said Fitzgerald is wanted by a US district court in Idaho for attempting to evade tax payments in violation of the US internal revenue code. The US embassy said a warrant for Fitzgerald’s arrest was issued by the Idaho court on May 13 this year after he was charged with “corrupt endeavor to obstruct or impede the due administration of the internal revenue service.”

Libanan instructed the BI law investigation division to immediately start deportation proceedings against Fitzgerald so that he could be deported to the US immediately to face criminal prosecution. Libanan said Fitzgerald is already an undocumented alien as the US government has cancelled his passport.

Balato also said yesterday Fitzgerald was previously issued a permanent resident visa by the BI due to his marriage to a Filipina. “However, the revocation of his passport has made him an undocumented alien and as a consequence his visa is deemed cancelled,” Balato explained.

Records showed that Fitzgerald was arrested Sept. 12 at the residence of his wife in Barangay Loguioo, Alubijid, Misamis Oriental.

He is now detained at the BI jail in Bicutan, Taguig City pending issuance of a summary deportation order by the BI Board of Commissioners.