The Philippine National Police arrested a Canadian national linked to child sex abuse cases in Thailand and Cambodia during a joint law enforcement operation in Barangay Caingin, Sta. Rosa City, Laguna on June 30.
PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said the foreign national, a retired teacher from British Columbia, Canada, was also the subject of an INTERPOL Green Notice.
The operation was led by the Foreign Intelligence and Liaison Division of the PNP Intelligence Group, in coordination with intelligence, investigative, immigration, and local government counterparts.
Police said the Canadian was placed under the INTERPOL notice after being linked to several cases involving the sexual abuse of minors in Thailand and Cambodia.
Records showed he was convicted in Thailand in 2007 for sexually abusing a male minor and had also served a prison sentence in Cambodia for sexually assaulting male teenagers aged 11 and 14.
Authorities also found that the foreign national had previously faced charges in the Philippines.
He was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation in 2016 for violation of Republic Act No. 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
In September 2022, he was again charged with the same offense after allegedly sexually molesting a male minor in Biñan, Laguna.
Nartatez said the arrest underscores the PNP’s commitment to international law enforcement cooperation and to ensuring that fugitives involved in serious crimes are brought before the proper authorities.
“The Philippines will not serve as a sanctuary for fugitives who prey on the vulnerable. Through sustained cooperation with our international and local law enforcement partners, the PNP will continue to locate and apprehend individuals who seek to evade justice,” he said.
He also reaffirmed the PNP’s commitment to protecting children from abuse and exploitation.
“Hindi tayo titigil sa paghahanap at pag-aresto sa mga taong nang-aabuso sa mga bata. Sisiguraduhin nating mananagot sila sa ilalim ng batas at mapoprotektahan ang ating mga komunidad,” Nartatez added.
The PNP said the operation reflects its continuing focus on intelligence-driven policing, stronger cross-border coordination, and sustained efforts against fugitives involved in transnational crimes.
It added that the arrest highlights the police organization’s operational capability in supporting global initiatives that uphold the rule of law and protect vulnerable sectors.
The PNP said it will continue working with international and local partners to bring fugitives before the proper authorities and protect communities from transnational crime.