By U.S. News Agency / Asian

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced yesterday the arrest of an overstaying American who is wanted for rape in the US.

BI Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. identified the fugitive as Robert Joseph Manship, 58, who was arrested in Maasin City, Leyte last Aug. 1 by elements of the bureau’s fugitive search unit.

David said Manship is wanted by authorities in New Hampshire for the crime of aggravated felonious sexual assault.

He added that a warrant for Manship’s arrest was issued last May 14 by the Hillsborough County superior court.

“He (Manship) will be deported for being an undocumented alien as his US passport already expired four years ago,” David said.

Lawyer Ma. Antonette Mangrobang, BI acting intelligence chief, said the American has been hiding in the Philippines since January 2008 when he arrived as a tourist.

Mangrobang disclosed that Manship last applied for an extension of his stay on March that year, thus he has been overstaying here for more than three years.

It was learned that the US embassy did not provide information on Manship’s alleged crime, such as when it was committed or who his victim was.

He will be deported as soon as the BI board of commissioners issues the order for his summary deportation, Mangrobang said.