Delfin Lee of Globe Asiatique is challenging the validity of his arrest warrant, but he allowed himself to be processed at Camp Crame as a suspect shortly after he was apprehended in Manila the other night. Lee has been wanted since 2012 on charges that he used “ghost†borrowers and fake documents to defraud the Pag-IBIG Fund of an estimated P6.6 billion.
The Court of Appeals cleared Lee of the charges in November last year but government prosecutors are appealing the decision and insist the arrest warrant was not lifted. Lee disputes this and may file a legal challenge to his arrest. Even if the arrest is invalidated, however, state prosecutors are expected to continue pressing their case against him, and he may be arrested again.
His arrest should encourage law enforcers to find other high-profile fugitives. Lee was one of the so-called Big 5 most wanted fugitives along with retired Army general Jovito Palparan, former Palawan governor Joel Reyes and his brother Mario who was mayor of Coron town in the province, Dinagat Rep. Ruben Ecleo, and New People’s Army commanders Benito Tiamzon and Jorge Madlos. The brothers and the NPA leaders are counted as one case each.
In addition to catching fugitives, authorities should go after those who harbor wanted persons. Palparan, accused of torture and serious illegal detention in connection with the enforced disappearance of two University of the Philippines coeds, is suspected to be enjoying the protection of certain military elements. Ecleo, convicted of parricide, has a cult following in his turf. The Reyes brothers have their own supporters.
Lee’s appearance in a crowded area in the city of Manila indicates that he did not leave the country during his days as a fugitive. Authorities should try to find out who harbored Lee, even as the manhunt is intensified for the rest of the Big 5.