BI bars 4 American sex offenders from entering PH

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has barred four American nationals, convicted of sexual offenses, from entering the Philippines.

Identified by BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, the individuals are Terry Christ Peterson, 70; Richard Allison Boice, 71; Kevin James Bearden, 56; and Rodney Wendell Mathis, 59.

They were turned back pursuant to immigration law, which mandates the exclusion of foreigners convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude.

All four have been blacklisted and banned from future entry into the Philippines.

Terry Christ Petersen, convicted in 1992 for sexual assault on a minor, arrived at NAIA Terminal 3 on Sept. 13 from Hong Kong.

Rodney Wendell Mathis was convicted in 1997 for lewd and lascivious acts against a minor, while Richard Allison Boice and Kevin James Bearden were convicted for possession of child pornography in 2009 and 2021, respectively.