Danish convict to serve 9 years in jail

An official of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said yesterday that a Danish man convicted of estafa or swindling will be transferred to the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) to serve at least nine years of his 13-year sentence.

Head Agent Claro de Castro Jr. of the NBI-Interpol Division said Tom Rene Dalby, 61, of Sun Valley Subdivision in Parañaque City was caught on March 31 after he jumped bail in 2003.

He was convicted in absentia by the Makati City Regional Trial Court’s Branch 146.

“At present, Dalby is detained at the NBI detention facility. We would be informing the court that he has been arrested and the court, in return, would issue a commitment order to bring him to the NBP since he has already been convicted,” De Castro said.

Court records showed that in July 2002, Dalby introduced himself as an American citizen to complainant Evelyn Yquin and claimed to have connections to the Japanese Embassy.

He said he could help Yquin return to Japan and change her working visa into a tourist visa. In return, he demanded P65,200 to cover costs. He was unable to produce her visa and failed to return her money.

Dalby was arrested by the Western Police District (now called the Manila Police District) in January 2003, but was able to post bail after he was arraigned. – Evelyn Macairan