UK Sex Offender Arrested In Philippines While Working As Scuba Instructor

Philippine immigration officers detained a British national working as a scuba instructor on Tablas Island after discovering he is registered in the UK as a sex offender.
The man, identified by authorities as Andrew Charles Beaumont, 47, was arrested on February 16th in Santa Fe, Romblon province, during an operation led by the Bureau of Immigration’s Fugitive Search Unit with support from local police. At the time, Beaumont was reportedly managing a local dive business and giving paid diving lessons.
His past criminal conviction records show that he is subject to a lifelong Sexual Offence Notification Order issued in the UK in 2012. The former teacher was convicted in Australia in 2009. The court documents say he was found guilty on multiple counts related to sexual activity with a 15-year-old and received a sentence of four years and six months, with a three-year non-parole period.
Philippine Immigration checks also revealed that Beaumont entered the Philippines on 19 September 2022 on a temporary visitor visa and had overstayed after his last authorised extension expired in November 2023, making him an “overstaying alien” under local rules. He is being held in custody as deportation proceedings move forward.
Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado stated on Beaumont’s arrest and impending deportation:

“It is absolutely unacceptable for foreign sex offenders to come to our country…We express our outrage against anyone – especially foreigners – who seek to victimise minors and violate their innocence. The Bureau of Immigration will relentlessly pursue and deport individuals who pose a threat to our children.”