S'pore drug accused deported by Manila authorities

A Singaporean who allegedly fled to the Philippines two years ago, to evade arrest for drug trafficking charges here, was this week deported by Manila after his Filipino wife filed a police report against him for abuse.

Rostam Mohamed, 44, was found by Manila authorities to have entered the Philippines in August 2012 using the passport of another Singaporean, reported the Philippine media on Monday.

He was deported on Sunday following complaints by his pregnant Filipino wife Corazon Sebastian, 54, of maltreatment that had landed her in hospital, Commissioner Siegfred B. Mison of the Bureau of Immigration told reporters.

Rostam's illegal entry into the Philippines and drug charges back in Singapore were revealed during investigations into Ms Sebastian's claims of cruelty at her husband's hands, he added.

She had accused Rostam, with whom she is said to have a one-year-old daughter, of constantly beating and forcing her to take illegal drugs.

Ms Sebastian, who is reportedly eight months pregnant with the couple's second child, alleged that Rostam had threatened to kill her if she complained to the police. Rostam had also overstayed, Mr Mison told local media.

When contacted by The Straits Times, Mr Nick Ferrer, information officer at the Philippines Bureau of Immigrations, confirmed Rostam's deportation and the allegations against him.

Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) told The Straits Times it "was notified of the Singaporean's detention in the Philippines and our embassy in Manila had rendered consular assistance".

Neither MFA nor Singapore's Immigration & Checkpoints Authority could provide information about Rostam's current whereabouts. The Straits Times understands that he had not returned to Singapore as of Wednesday.

In response to queries about the veracity of the allegations against Rostam, especially his Singapore drug trafficking charges, the Central Narcotics Bureau said it is "aware of the case and (we) are investigating it".

hpeishan@sph.com.sg

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