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with 'SWINDON NEWS'
Fugitive dad's plea to come home
9:12am Monday 21st April 2008
Comments (66)A FUGITIVE father facing seven years in a Filipino prison for adultery has managed to flee to Thailand with his girlfriend and baby daughter.
But his mother has warned that he is still not safe and has pleaded with the British government to help her boy.
David Scott, 36, of Walcot, was forced to leave the Philippines after fathering a child with his Filipino girlfriend, Cynthia Delfino, who was still not officially separated from her estranged husband.
Under Filipino law this made him guilty of adultery, which carries a seven-year sentence, and also meant that three-month old Janina was not legally seen as David's daughter.
Now, after three months spent in rat-infested jail cells and living rough in derelict houses and the jungle, the couple have managed to bribe their way into Thailand.
David's mother, Ann, 60, said: "You can really see the change in them both since they got to Thailand.
"Before they looked scared and miserable but now you can see the relief in their faces.
"But the problem is that now they are stuck there with no money and nowhere to go.
"They have to pay £500 for a passport for the baby and £500 for a DNA test to prove that Cynthia really is the mother, which is ridiculous.
"I've lost count of how many times I've contacted the British Embassy but they never seem to know what's going on.
"I spoke to David the other day and he said he just wanted to come home.
"I can't for the life of me understand why the British government won't let them come home.
"It's not as if Cynthia wants anything from this country - if anything she could bring a lot.
"She's been to university, she's got qualifications coming out of her ears and she speaks three languages.
"I think I've been through enough in the last year - my husband died, I've had a heart attack and my son has been arrested.
"If it wasn't for my daughter, Jane, and councillor Mavis Childs, who has been an absolute rock, I don't know how I would have got through.
"I just want him back here and I desperately want to meet my little granddaughter."
David, speaking from Bangkok, said: "Now I can fight without my hands tied to bring my daughter back home.
"I was not going to let the husband or the authorities take away my daughter - over my dead body.
"I am free and penniless and have been supported by my mum and some very good friends."
Ann said she would love to hear from anyone who would like to help with fundraising for the couple, or who could offer advice.
If you want to help please contact the Adver on 01793 501801 or email jwallin@swindonadvertiser.co.uk.
CYNTHIA Delfino described boyfriend David as her hero after the couple and their young daughter touched down in Bangkok.
"He's my Superman," said 29-year-old Cynthia.
"It's so good to be free at last, and that's down to him, but our future is still uncertain. I have to throw myself on the mercy of the British government to be with our baby."
David met Cynthia, a psychology graduate, on a website while she was working as a supervisor at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi.
He knew she was married and separated but their relationship developed and in April last year she became pregnant during a holiday together in the Philippines. She started annulment proceedings against her husband, Noriel Delfino, who initially agreed.
"It's good to be out and safe with our baby. But this means I cannot go back to the Philippines. They will not give me bail again and I will be jailed for adultery.
"The only crime I am guilty of is sleeping with the man I love."
My husband and I had been separated for a long time. It was he that sent me to work as a supervisor at a hotel in Abu Dhabi and told me to send money home. All he did was sit at home and wait for the money."
"We did not get out a day too soon," said Cynthia.
"On the day we left we heard at the airport that police had issued another warrant for our arrest because my husband had taken a second case of adultery against us both in another court.
Your Say YourSwindon
Ankh, Morpork says...
10:36am Mon 21 Apr 08
yeti, swindon says...
10:53am Mon 21 Apr 08
he broke the law of their land.end of
WTF?, Swindon says...
10:58am Mon 21 Apr 08
Ankh wrote:But there's always someone out there willing to assist authorities in their quest to catch a bad man.
I'm sure the Filipino authorities wont be reading the Adver.
Putting this information on the WORLD wide web is dangerous for this young man. The information on his whereabouts and proof he committed a crime is all in print now.
Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon says...
11:09am Mon 21 Apr 08
"I can't for the life of me understand why the British government won't let them come home. I can it's called assisting fugitive, which would make the Government an accessory. Councillor Childs should also be mindful of being seen to be supporting those who broken another countries laws, no matter how harsh we think they be.
yeti, swindon says...
11:19am Mon 21 Apr 08
Cjones1234, Swindon, Peatmoor says...
11:22am Mon 21 Apr 08
not officially separated from her estranged husband.
it does say estranged so we do not necesairilly know the circumstances of the affair i think its a little harsh to judge to much. for all we know he could have gone missing 3 years ago and not declaired dead or something!!! IN WICH CASE SHE SHOULD BE ALOUD TO MOVE ON.
Cjones1234, Swindon, Peatmoor says...
11:22am Mon 21 Apr 08
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
11:28am Mon 21 Apr 08
Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon says...
11:34am Mon 21 Apr 08
yeti, swindon says...
11:38am Mon 21 Apr 08
and the end part of your post is absolute garbage.if people smoke around their kids, they will do so regardless of the smoking ban.
Pedantic, Swindon says...
11:39am Mon 21 Apr 08
Just read the Daily Mail article as per the link from WTF and that's astonishing!! I am really 100% NOT racist in anyway shape or form, but it does make my blood boil when you see things like that... This is the UK. We have laws here that should be adhered to by ALL citizens and visitors with NO exceptions Just like WE have to adhere to the laws of any countries we visit. END OF...!!
LordBelacqua, Swindon says...
11:46am Mon 21 Apr 08
Have you got a proper source on that story?
Big Mac, says...
11:55am Mon 21 Apr 08
Ankh wrote:No, but they can type a name into Google...
I'm sure the Filipino authorities wont be reading the Adver.
Big Mac, says...
11:59am Mon 21 Apr 08
LordBelacqua wrote:Maybe you'll trust the Adver's sister paper?
Really, the Daily Fail? Have you got a proper source on that story?
tinyurl.com/6l9t6p
Disbelieving everything in the Daily Mail is as daft as believing everything in the Daily Mail.
In this case, the article is entirely true Lord B.
Big Mac, says...
12:05pm Mon 21 Apr 08
The Adver appears to be supporting fund raising for a criminal fugitive.
I believe that's atually illegal if the money helps him evade justice.
Mumstheword wrote:
What is done is done. Time to act on the best interests of the child that is involved.
I'm surprised you can just dismiss a person breaking the laws of the land so easily.
Maybe this man should have put his child first when he selfishly broke the law and endangered his whole family?
LordBelacqua, Swindon says...
12:09pm Mon 21 Apr 08
emmylou83, Stratton says...
12:10pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Maybe this man should have put his child first when he selfishly broke the law and endangered his whole family
Its the child that is the reason he's on the run. Coz he fathered the child he broke the law
Big Mac, says...
12:11pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon says...
12:11pm Mon 21 Apr 08
and the end part of your post is absolute garbage.if people smoke around their kids, they will do so regardless of the smoking ban. Think about what you have just posted, if these people, mainly fathers are down the pub or club, then they are not smoking at home. Since the smoking ban we are told by the DoH that a greater number of children are having to go to A&E for respiratory issues, since the smoking ban has increased smoking at home. Don't shoot the messenger because you don't like the message.
emmylou83, Stratton says...
12:19pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon says...
12:20pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Voice of Reason, The Parks says...
12:23pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Voice of Reason, The Parks says...
12:27pm Mon 21 Apr 08
LordBelacqua, Swindon says...
12:27pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Robert Feal-Martinez wrote:We're discussing something else RFM - although I agree with the earlier points made - ignorance is no excuse, and as he was a visitor to their country, he shouldn't feel able to break their laws on a whim.
Sorry for the diversion, the reality is LordB under the laws of her country it is bigamy, they were there when the 'act' was committed. As someone said 'when in Rome'. We cannot pick the laws we like, especially not in another country. Laws that are enforced work for local people usually, do you see many one handed, let alone no handed people in Saudi Arabia.
Big Mac, says...
12:30pm Mon 21 Apr 08
emmylou83 wrote:He shouldn't have done if he knew it meant he faced seven years in prison, therefore denying that child a father in its formative years, no.
Big Mac so you're saying he shouldn't of fathered the child?? Did he know he was breaking the law when he did?
I'm sure his wife was well aware that what they were doing was illegal.
It's not often a person does something that commands a seven year prison sentence without knowing whether it's legal or not.
As it stands this poor kid has been carted about all over the place and in some appalling conditions. That doesn't really sound like a caring father to me. His only concern is for himself and not going to prison.
Voice of Reason, The Parks says...
12:37pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Voice of Reason, The Parks says...
12:39pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Voice of Reason, The Parks says...
12:40pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Voice of Reason, The Parks says...
12:42pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Voice of Reason, The Parks says...
12:44pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Stoobs, Swindon says...
12:48pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Since the smoking ban we are told by the DoH that a greater number of children are having to go to A&E for respiratory issues, since the smoking ban has increased smoking at home.quote
Sorry, but havent the pro smokiing brigade been telling us that passive smoking is a myth?
If so, why so soon after a ban are so many children developing breathing problems due to their parents smoking at home?
Could be that they are already following the example of their parents and smoking themselves....anothe
r good reason to ban it completely!
Stoobs, Swindon says...
12:48pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Since the smoking ban we are told by the DoH that a greater number of children are having to go to A&E for respiratory issues, since the smoking ban has increased smoking at home.quote
Sorry, but havent the pro smokiing brigade been telling us that passive smoking is a myth?
If so, why so soon after a ban are so many children developing breathing problems due to their parents smoking at home?
Could be that they are already following the example of their parents and smoking themselves....anothe
r good reason to ban it completely!
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
1:17pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Big Mac wrote:Big Mac and Robert I simply meant it's time to do what is best for the child, I didn't state what I thought was best. I do think though all relevant people involved should be concentrating on that first and foremost.
I don't quite understand this story. The Adver appears to be supporting fund raising for a criminal fugitive. I believe that's atually illegal if the money helps him evade justice.Mumstheword wrote: What is done is done. Time to act on the best interests of the child that is involved.I'm surprised you can just dismiss a person breaking the laws of the land so easily. Maybe this man should have put his child first when he selfishly broke the law and endangered his whole family?
Re smoking law, It's wrong and needs changing. Smoking at home and in a car with a child imo should be illegal. Not saying don't do it, that's a personal choice, just saying do it away from the kids!
We should start to seek the change we want in this world through our future generation, our children. Until we realise this we are all screwed imho.
Big Mac, says...
1:24pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Until then, his wife and the child, who are both Filipino, will never be able to return their homeland with him.
Of course, he won't do this.
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
1:28pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Have not both of the couple broken the law and therefore will both go to jail and the child end up in a dreadful orphanage in the Phillipines?
yeti, swindon says...
1:44pm Mon 21 Apr 08
the ban in pubs is a different issue.
pubs were closing and losing business before the smoking ban.the cost of a pint has meant many dont go out as much as they used to.
why you had to turn this thread into your own agendas again rfm does you no favours.
Pedantic, Swindon says...
1:57pm Mon 21 Apr 08
emmylou83, Stratton says...
2:06pm Mon 21 Apr 08
if people smoke around their kids then they are not fit to be parents.it is a selfish and stupid thing to do.
Mine smoked around me and my sister, we're both well rounded individuals :o) ok even I don't believe that but smoking was my choice I didnt do it because my folks did and my sister has never smoked. I don't think my parent are stupid or selfish considering what they have given up for myself and my sister
emmylou83, Stratton says...
2:19pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Big Mac wrote:Does she even want to go back?
What's best for the child would be for this man to be a man and go back and serve the punishment for his crime. Until then, his wife and the child, who are both Filipino, will never be able to return their homeland with him. Of course, he won't do this.
Pedantic, Swindon says...
2:30pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Does she even want to go back?
People always want to go back eventually... even if its only for a family member's funeral or something. No-one wants to cut their ties to any place forever!! Even Biggs came home in the end...
Hey Emmylou
we're both well rounded individuals :o)Since when??? LOL x
WTF?, Swindon says...
2:31pm Mon 21 Apr 08
emmylou: Its the child that is the reason he's on the run. Coz he fathered the child he broke the law
He broke the law by committing adultery I believe.
Ankh, Morpork says...
2:49pm Mon 21 Apr 08
emmylou83, Stratton says...
2:50pm Mon 21 Apr 08
WTF? wrote:Thats what I meant
emmylou: Its the child that is the reason he's on the run. Coz he fathered the child he broke the lawHe broke the law by committing adultery I believe.
emmylou83, Stratton says...
2:51pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Terence, Swindon says...
2:58pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Philippinos can make their own laws and visitors should respect them, their law does not seem especially draconian and the Swindonian should be tried for his alleged offence.
Pedantic, Swindon says...
2:58pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Pedantic - how rude!!! I'm a perfectly well rounded indivdual - honest :o)
Well, that's what the little people in your head tell you... Love ya really! x
emmylou83, Stratton says...
3:08pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Pedantic wrote:you mean they aint real?? - WOW what a revealation!!!
Pedantic - how rude!!! I'm a perfectly well rounded indivdual - honest :o)Well, that's what the little people in your head tell you... Love ya really! x
compaq, Swindon says...
3:08pm Mon 21 Apr 08
emmylou83, Stratton says...
3:09pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Perhaps the woman's description of her husband as a near slave-driver is largely concocted, for sympathy, and we should think of the poor cuckolded Philippino man who now has the public shame of his wife having another man's baby.
Maybe they should find him and get his side of the story then although even if he was the rubbish husband she makes him out to be he'll lie so this is another case where we will never know the truth
Big Mac, says...
3:31pm Mon 21 Apr 08
You cannot break the law of a country just because your husband isn't a particularly good one (even if that is true).
Mumstheword wrote:
Have not both of the couple broken the law and therefore will both go to jail and the child end up in a dreadful orphanage in the Phillipines?
Well, the baby wouldn't be an orphan, as both its parents would still be alive.
It's a bit strange to assume the baby would end up in a 'dreadful' place. The Phillipines has fostering and adoption agencies, just like this country does.
Your post worries me Mumstheword - you seem to imply that parents can break any law that they choose because they should not be sent to prison if they have children.
Unfortunately, many women in this country already use their offspring as a means to enjoy a criminal career without the risk of prison.
It's disgraceful for anyone to use their children for their own ends like that.
It's similar to the people on benefits who continue having children even though they know they can't afford them. They know they'll be bailed out and get given a bigger house and more money 'because of the children'.
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
3:46pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Big Mac wrote:You have me so, so wrong! I deplore people who take risks and break the law when they have children! It is the children who suffer that I feel sorry for.
We do know the truth. You cannot break the law of a country just because your husband isn't a particularly good one (even if that is true).Mumstheword wrote: Have not both of the couple broken the law and therefore will both go to jail and the child end up in a dreadful orphanage in the Phillipines?Well, the baby wouldn't be an orphan, as both its parents would still be alive. It's a bit strange to assume the baby would end up in a 'dreadful' place. The Phillipines has fostering and adoption agencies, just like this country does. Your post worries me Mumstheword - you seem to imply that parents can break any law that they choose because they should not be sent to prison if they have children. Unfortunately, many women in this country already use their offspring as a means to enjoy a criminal career without the risk of prison. It's disgraceful for anyone to use their children for their own ends like that. It's similar to the people on benefits who continue having children even though they know they can't afford them. They know they'll be bailed out and get given a bigger house and more money 'because of the children'.
As for not being able to break the law of the country JUST because your husband is not a very good one! Hmmm, it sounds like you are condoning domestic violence and suffering as long as the suffer is not breaking the law!
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
3:53pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Frontier(s), says...
4:53pm Mon 21 Apr 08
As for not being able to break the law of the country JUST because your husband is not a very good one! Hmmm, it sounds like you are condoning domestic violence
That is the biggest non-sequitor I have ever read on this forum.
Are you suggesting that anyone whose husband isn't perfect should be allowed to do whatever they want and if they're not allowed to break the law it means people advocate domestic violence?
What a very strange and twisted view you have.
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
5:45pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Wow! Do I get a prize for that?!
What I am trying to say is that *if* her husband was abusive in any way then she should of been allowed a divorce. In some countries / religions you are not. Perhaps I have gone a bit off on a tangent on this, but it made perfect sense to me :)
Yeti, re your previous should not be allowed to breed comment, you are not a power ballads man then? :)
Old_Chap, Swindon says...
6:18pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon says...
7:09pm Mon 21 Apr 08
sashstaff, Swindon says...
8:42pm Mon 21 Apr 08
They should face the consequences regardless of whether the law is different in this country. People in the UK should live by British law, circumstances are irrelevant, the same applies to British citIzens abroad.
We don't need any more people in the UK, and we certainly don't need men who are willing to 'sleep with' married women, how about a bit of self control.
Serve your sentence and give the kid to a couple who have earned the privilege to be parents.
THE LAW IS THE LAW, DISAGREEING WITH IT IS NO REASON TO BREAK IT.
WTF?, Swindon says...
8:44pm Mon 21 Apr 08
RFM: If posters can't see that then we have a serious law and order situation in the UK.
Perfectly said.
sn5007, swindon says...
10:25pm Mon 21 Apr 08
RayDavao, Davao City Philippines says...
12:08am Tue 22 Apr 08
SpeakUp, Swindon says...
1:26am Tue 22 Apr 08
RayDavao wrote:Now I'm sure someone said earlier (can't spot it for all the cigarette smoke) that no-one in the Philpinnes would read the Adver. Welcome to Swindon Ray - sorry about all the off-topic stuff here but glad you could prove the authorities in your homeland could quite easily track down our local bad-lad from all the information posted here. Come back soon!! :-)
Just thank the Catholic church for the mess. There is no divorce in the Philippines only separation and annulment, both of which are very long, drawn out and expensive operations. So what do ordinary simple people do in such cases? Normally they just run away together. But if one party (normally the guy) is a foreigner ... different matter. The agreived husband, who in most cases is a wife beater, pursues the matter with a friendly (take 60%) lawyer. prison is the very last result, normally all they want is a big pay off to drop the charges.
Sam, Swindon says...
3:32am Tue 22 Apr 08
Good luck to all three of you - I hope your luck changes soon Ann.
WTF?, Swindon says...
10:19am Tue 22 Apr 08
Sam: Well I hope the three of them manage to get back safely to Swindon.
I don't. Because I bet you any money the lady won't work, or not at least until the child is at school and then she'll probably only clean due to lack of skills and being unable to fluently speak English.
Plus, it'll be hard for the man to work as he'll either be a fugitive or have a criminal record.
And then there's the child, who will need to use our education system and will struggle with the English language as it's being brought up in a home where the mother will insist on speaking to the child in her native language.
WTF?, Swindon says...
9:50am Mon 21 Apr 08
Talk about singing like a canary.
Does she want to help her son or help the authorities. Why does she keep telling everyone where he is?