‘Pinoy fugitive made new life in Thailand’

Director General Ronald dela Rosa on Monday presented to the media one of the Philippine National Police’s most wanted who managed to elude arrest for 10 years by hiding out in Thailand.

The police chief brought home from Bangkok Alexander Pangilinan, a former policeman wanted in the kidnapping and death of Michael Chan on Sept. 15, 2005, on Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City. He had a P250,000 bounty on his head offered by the Department of Interior and Local Government, which oversees the national police force.

Pangilinan was arrested by Royal Thai Police in Koh Samui, Suratthan, on Oct. 13 for violation of immigration laws. He was turned over by the Thai police to Dela Rosa when they learned he was on a visit as a guest at the Royal Thai Police’s anniversary last week.

Dela Rosa and Pangilinan returned to the country last weekend.

Learned the language

Dela Rosa said Pangilinan worked his way up from waiter to general manager at a Thai resort. He married a Thai woman and speaks the language fluently.

Dela Rosa said an informant gave the tip that led to Pangilinan. He said the PNP sent a red notice to Interpol (International Police) which coordinated with Thai police for the arrest.

Police Senior Supt. Manolo Ozaeta, Anti-Kidnap Group acting director, said  Pangilinan was in the custody of the AKG under a standing arrest warrant issued by Judge Bayani Vargas of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court dated May 11, 2006.