Norwegian sex-crime fugitive nabbed in Ilocos Norte

Philippine authorities arrested a Norwegian fugitive who faced several child-sex crimes in Laoag, Ilocos Norte.

According to John Consulta’s “24 Oras” report on Friday, Norwegian authorities had asked the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to arrest the Norwegian national due to three child sex abuse cases in their country.

“May warrant of arrest na lumabag sa Norway dahil sa kanyang tatlong kasong pang-aabuso sa tatlong kabataan na nasa edad na six-years-old, eight-years-old, at 11-years-old. Ginawa niya ang krimen na ito between 2014 and 2016,” Rendel Sy, BI chief of Fugitive Search Unit, said.

(He has a warrant of arrest in Norway for his three cases of child abuse involving children six-years-old, eight-years-old, and 11-years-old. He  allegedly committed these crimes between 2014 and 2016.)

However, it was a complicated arrest due to the suspect's refusal to follow COVID-19 protocols, including an RT-PCR test.

“Medyo disturbing din itong attitude ng suspect na ito kasi unang una ayaw niya magpabakuna kahit pagsuot ng mask ay tumatanggi siya kasi sinasabi niya ang COVID na ito ay hindi totoo,” Sy said.

(The suspect's attitude was disturbing because, at first, he did not want a COVID-19 vaccine. He also refused to wear a face mask claiming that COVID-19 was bogus.)

“Napakahalaga na mahuli natin ang puganteng ito na nagtatago sa ating bansa lalong lalo na itong pattern ng krimen na ginagawa niya ay threat sa ating mga kabataan at kababaihan, hindi natin alam na baka pwede niyang gawin ang krimen na ‘yan dito,” he added.

(We must catch this fugitive who is hiding in our country, especially since these crimes were a threat to our youth and women. We can't be sure, but he might commit these crimes here.)

GMA News is trying to get the suspect's side. Authorities are holding the Norwegian fugitive at a BI Bicutan facility. — Richa Noriega/DVM, GMA News