German fugitive nabbed in Mindoro

MANILA, Philippines—A German fugitive wanted for drug trafficking in his country has been arrested in Puerto Galera  Oriental Mindoro, the Bureau of Immigration said Friday.

Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. said Stephanus Maria Schoellhorn, 48, has been detained at the Bicutan immigration jail in Taguig City following his arrest by members of the bureau’s fugitive search unit in Puerto Galera.

David issued a mission order for Schoellhorn’s arrest at the request of the German embassy in Manila.

The embassy canceled Schoellhorn’s passport after being informed by the German federal police about the fugitive’s presence in the Philippines.

According to David, Schoellhorn was the subject of an arrest warrant issued by a municipal court in the southwestern German city of Baden-Baden, where he was charged for seven counts of drug trafficking.

He added that the BI board of commissioners was expected to issue the order for Schoellhorn’s deportation before the week ends.

Lawyer Maria Antonette Bucasas-Mangrobang, BI intelligence chief, said a team of German federal policemen will fetch and escort the fugitive back to his homeland.

Mangrobang disclosed that the German is married to a Filipino woman, and was able to hide here for several months after fleeing his country to evade prosecution for his crimes.

Investigation revealed that Schoellhorn arrived in Manila on February 17 and was admitted on a one-year Balikbayan visa.

“Despite his Balikbayan visa, he lost his privilege to remain in the Philippines since he no longer holds a valid passport,” Mangrobang said.