Ricarforte in‘America’s Most Wanted’

The case of Yolanda Ricaforte, the personal auditor of deposed President Estrada, who fled to the United States after figuring in the "juetenggate" controversy two years ago, will be featured in the popular America’s Most Wanted television show.

This was revealed yesterday by National Bureau of Investigation director Reynaldo Wycoco, who will be interviewed for the show on Wednesday.

According to Wycoco, the featuring of Ricaforte’s case on the TV show could help US law enforcers track down the elusive fugitive.

"About 80 percent of the time, lawmen get tips leading to the arrest of someone they feature on television," Wycoco, who is now in the United States, said in an interview on radio station DZRH.

Wycoco said that under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty the Philippine government signed with the United States government, the NBI furnishes the FBI copies of the arrest warrants of fugitives who have fled to the United States.

It will be recalled that Ricaforte, who has an arrest warrant issued for her, eluded agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Las Vegas, Nevada in November last year.

– Mike Frialde

As these developed, Wycoco, who is now conferring with officials of the FBI, expressed optimism that Charlie "Atong" Ang, another friend of Estrada, who also fled to the US, will be accompanying him back to the Philippines upon his return.

"He is now undergoing trial for an extradition process. If by the time I head back to the Philippines his extradition process is finished, then by all means I’ll bring him home. If not, it’s okay. We’ll just follow the normal procedure, " Wycoco said. Ang is now detained at the Las Vegas Community Jail following his arrest by FBI agents.

Wycoco added that he would also be consulting the FBI regarding the case of Manila Representative Mark Jimenez, who is wanted in the United States for alleged illegal campaign contributions to then US President Bill Clinton.

"I cannot second guess what will happen. That’s one of the things we are going to discuss. I’ll find out their position on the matter and relay it to higher authorities here," Wycoco said. – Mike Frialde