Returning OFW nabbed at Iloilo airport over surprise estafa warrant after years abroad

• A 42-year-old OFW from Dumalag, Capiz was arrested at Iloilo International Airport on July 11, 2025, due to an outstanding estafa warrant
• Bureau of Immigration agents flagged him after a system alert revealed the pending case
• He was detained at Cabatuan Municipal Police Station, then transferred to the Mambusao court, which issued the warrant
• The OFW, who returned from Singapore for his critically ill father, claimed he was unaware of the estafa case

A returning overseas Filipino worker (OFW) was arrested upon arrival at Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo on July 11, 2025, after authorities discovered he had an outstanding arrest warrant for estafa.

The 42-year-old man, a resident of Dumalag, Capiz, had just arrived from Singapore when the Bureau of Immigration (BI) flagged him during routine checks.

According to a report by GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas, a system “alarm” indicated the OFW was wanted in connection with a pending estafa case.

Authorities immediately verified the alert and confirmed that an active arrest warrant had indeed been issued against the OFW.

He was then taken into custody by airport police and brought to the Cabatuan Municipal Police Station for processing.

After documentation, the OFW was transferred to the court in Mambusao, Capiz, which had issued the warrant for his arrest.

He was eventually allowed to post bail and has since been released from custody.

In a statement, the OFW claimed he had no knowledge of the legal case filed against him. Police Lieutenant Frank Eduard Tamon of the Iloilo Airport Police Station explained the situation, saying, “Since 2015 nagpa-Singapore siya.

Umuwi lang siya (July 11, 2025) considering na ang ama niya critical daw ang sitwasyon. So not knowing na meron siyang kaso.”

The OFW had reportedly returned home only because of a family emergency, unaware that his name was already on record for a criminal charge.

The case is now expected to move forward in court following his release.

News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable.

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Source: KAMI.com.gh