BI nabs American fugitive wanted for ‘crime of passion’

MANILA, Philippines - A 71-year-old Cuban-American, wanted for murdering his ex-wife’s female friend 21 years ago in what authorities in Philadephia called a “crime of passion,” was arrested Monday by Bureau of Immigration (BI) agents.

Santiago Pedroso is being held at the BI detention center in Taguig City following his arrest in front of the United States embassy in Manila, BI officer-in-charge Siegfred Mison said.

He had gone to the embassy reportedly to renew his expired passport when he was collared by agents from the BI’s fugitive search unit.

Mison said Pedroso will be deported and blacklisted to prevent him from re-entering the country.

Pedroso was captured after hiding in the country for more than 16 years, according to BI acting intelligence chief Jose Carlito Licas. He said Pedroso admitted that he entered the country in December 1996 by absconding from a cruise ship that docked in Mindanao.

US embassy officials said Pedroso is wanted for the June 21, 1992 killing of Delores Alvarez, who was shot while dining in a crowded restaurant in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Pedroso allegedly shot Alvarez five times as the victim was dining with his ex-wife. Police alleged the suspect – a “spiritualist” who ran a religious-goods store – committed the crime in a fit of jealous rage because his estranged wife, from whom he had bitterly separated, was living with the victim.