An American fugitive accused of child molestation was arrested while hiding in the Philippines.
Matthew Cole Calhoun, 59, was said to have sexually abused minors in Florida before flying to the Southeast Asian country to seek refuge.
He was hiding out in coastal Pangasinan province when police tracked him down to a rented home in the sleepy town of Mangaldan.
Locals were alarmed as officers raided the property on May 16, before dragging out the suspected child molester and hauling him into a police van.
Authorities said Calhoun was wanted in Florida on multiple child molestation charges, including two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation classified as life felonies, and two additional second-degree felony charges.
The arrest was carried out by the Bureau of Immigration's (BI) Fugitive Search Unit with soldiers, the National Bureau of Immigration, and US authorities, as part of a nationwide crackdown on foreign sex offenders.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said proceedings were underway to cancel Calhoun's passport ahead of his deportation.
He said: 'Our message is clear: predators and fugitives who attempt to hide in the Philippines will be found and removed. The Bureau of Immigration, through our #ShieldKids campaign, will continue working relentlessly with local and international partners to protect vulnerable sectors, especially children, from exploitation and abuse.'
The BI said Calhoun will remain in the bureau's detention facility pending deportation.
Experienced news editor with a strong background in editorial planning, content review, headline writing, and fact-checking. Skilled in managing news coverage, ensuring accuracy, maintaining editorial standards, and delivering timely, engaging stories across digital platforms.
All Rights Reserved © 2026
