FBI lauds BI for helping catch US fugitives

MANILA, Philippines - The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently cited the contribution of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in locating and apprehending American fugitives who have sought refuge in the Philippines.

In a statement, the FBI sent a plaque of appreciation to BI Commissioner Marcelino Libanan to relay its gratitude to the agency for its assistance in arresting American fugitives.

The plaque was signed in Washington by FBI Director Robert Mueller III. The citation was personally delivered to Libanan by a delegation from the US embassy, led by legal attaché James Nixon and his aide John Sapinoso.

Apart from the BI commissioner, the FBI also recognized the efforts of other agency officials lawyer Floro Balato Jr., who heads the agency’s Interpol Unit, the unit’s deputy lawyer Antonio Rivera; and unit operatives lawyer Rommel Tacorda and Manny Adao.

“Your skills, devotion to duty, and ability to work closely with other law enforcement officers were responsible for a significant part of the successes achieved in the investigation,” Mueller said in his citation.

Since the creation of the BI-Interpol Unit in June last year, Balato said his men have arrested and deported at least 20 American fugitives.

Balato said members of the BI Interpol unit have been attending various training programs and seminar-workshops to strengthen their knowledge and ability to locate and catch foreign fugitives.