BI nabs US fugitive
THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced the arrest of an American woman wanted by federal authorities in the United States for contempt of court and defying a court order in a child custody case.
The fugitive was identified as Cyndie Mamuad Mesina, 54, who was arrested Thursday along Roxas Blvd., Ermita, Manila by operatives from the BI’s fugitive search unit (FSU) headed by Bobby Raquepo.
Raquepo said Mesina is already an overstaying alien and does not possess a valid travel document as confirmed by US authorities.
A mission order for her immediate arrest was issued at the request of US authorities.
Mesina is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the Superior Court of California in County of San Mateo, after she was cited in contempt of court and for child abduction or depravation of custody.
While details on her case are unavailable, said violations refer to the act of one parent keeping a child from the other parent despite a court order prohibiting it.
Mesina has reportedly engaged in behavior that is disrespectful to the court process in the US, hence was issued the warrant.
Raquepo said Mesina was turned over to the BI’s detention facility at Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City pending issuance of the order for her deportation by the BI Board of Commissioners.
According to the BI, Mesina will be included in the BI’s blacklist, effectively banning her from re-entering the Philippines.
