OFFICERS of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) Angeles Field Office apprehended on Tuesday, February 2, 2021, an Italian man wanted for a crime in his homeland.

BI operatives identified the suspect as Ivaldi Antonello, 51, who was intercepted after attempting to extend his visa at the BI Angeles Field Office.

Alien Control Officer Mark Leslie Gonzales said Antonello submitted his passport to extend his tourist visa to the office when BI personnel discovered that he has an active watchlist for being a fugitive from justice.

“He has been in the country since 2019, under a tourist visa,” Gonzales said.

"Once we saw his record, we immediately coordinated with the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) to effect his arrest,” Gonzales added.

In a report to BI Commissioner Jaime Morente, BI FSU Chief Bobby Raquepo said through the assistance of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Angeles City Field Unit they arrested Antonello.

Morente said Antonello’s presence in the country posed a risk to public safety.

“We received official communication from Italian authorities requesting assistance in locating him,” Morente said.

Records showed that a warrant of arrest was issued by the Prosecutor’s Office at the Appeal Court of Trieste, Italy issued in Jun 2019 for Aggravated Rape and Sexual Assault against Minor in violation of Italian laws.

He was likewise a subject of an Interpol notice for his crime.

Antonello will be transferred to the BI Warden Facility in Bicutan, Taguig once he receives his negative Covid-19 swab test results, following standard protocols.