The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has arrested a 73-year-old American national wanted in the United States for failing to report his intended international travel as required under US sex offender registration laws.
BI Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) agents conducted the enforcement operation against American man Wayne Barboza on February 27 at the Cebu City Jail Annex in Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City, in coordination with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology–Cebu.
The arrest was carried out following a formal request from the US government. Authorities reported that the subject has an outstanding arrest warrant issued by the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts for failure of a sex offender to report intended international travel, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2250(b).
Philippine records show that Barboza was previously arrested in Cebu in March 2024 based on warrants issued by a Regional Trial Court for rape and acts of lasciviousness involving a minor.
In September 2024, Homeland Security Investigations Manila, with support from the National Bureau of Investigation–Central Visayas Regional Office and the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Cebu, identified four additional alleged victims. While disclosures of abuse were made, the four additional individuals declined to file formal complaints.
Barboza is reportedly expected to plead guilty to a single count of acts of lasciviousness.
Bureau records further show that he previously attempted to depart the Philippines in January 2024 but was barred due to a Hold Departure Order issued by a Cebu court.
Immigration records also indicate that he has not filed any application for visa extension or conversion and is considered an overstaying alien.
The BI said the arrest forms part of its #Shieldkids campaign, an intensified campaign against foreign sexual offenders and other foreign nationals who pose a threat to the safety of children.
