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Posted on Wed, Jul. 19, 2006

Authorities say ex-Philippines official arrived in U.S. illegally

SOLVEJ SCHOU
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - A former Philippines official who is the subject of an arrest warrant in his native country arrived in the United States nearly two weeks ago without a valid visa, authorities said Wednesday.

Jocelyn Bolante, the country's former agriculture undersecretary, was taken into custody July 7 and is being held at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's processing center in San Pedro, according to ICE spokeswoman Virginia Kice.

She said Bolante was given notice Wednesday to appear in federal court, although a hearing was not immediately scheduled. No charges have been filed, Kice said.

The Philippine Consulate General's office in Los Angeles did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

Bolante, arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on a flight that originated in Hong Kong, said Peter Gordon, the airport's acting port director for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Although he is named in an arrest warrant in the Philippines, Gordon said the U.S. government's main concern is that Bolante appears to have arrived in this country illegally.

"His visitor's visa had been revoked by the U.S. Department of State," Gordon said.

The warrant issued in the Philippines cites accusations that Bolante diverted agricultural funds to the 2004 election campaign of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. It was issued after Bolante refused to appear at a hearing of a Philippine Senate committee investigating the matter.