Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers successfully intercepted a man wanted for rape charges at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 earlier this week.
Jacob Manoj Paul Chempalakunnil, 50, was halted during his attempt to depart from the Philippines last September 8, as he was on board a Jetstar Asia flight bound for Singapore. Chempalakunnil was accosted by BI officers after they identified him in the BI’s database of individuals holding criminal records.
Upon confirming Chempalakunnil’s identity, the immigration officers facilitated his turnover to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to enact his arrest in line with the warrant issued by Branch 220 in Quezon City. The warrant dictates no bail, highlighting the severity of the charges faced by Chempalakunnil.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco used this incident to send out a stern warning to other individuals wanted for crimes and attempting to flee the country. Tansingco emphasized the BI’s policy of receiving court orders that bar the travel of individuals who have either a warrant of arrest or a hold departure order issued against them.
Tansingco mentioned, “Upon receipt of orders from courts, we immediately include these individuals in our derogatory record,” highlighting the efficiency of the system in place to curb the flight of individuals facing serious legal repercussions.