MANILA – Joint Philippine and Indonesian law enforcement agencies arrested a Filipino fugitive who is wanted for syndicated estafa and swindling activities.
In a statement Wednesday, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said members of the CIDG-Anti-Organized Crime Unit, the National Central Bureau Jakarta, International Criminal Police Organization and Indonesian immigration authorities nabbed Hector Pantollana, who is allegedly involved in a multibillion-peso investment scam and is wanted in the Philippines for multiple cases of syndicated estafa and swindling.
Pantollana, 35, was arrested while attempting to board a flight to Hong Kong at Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali on Nov. 9, after he was issued an Interpol red notice.
Pantollana has at least seven warrants of arrest issued by courts in Metro Manila and the provinces of Quezon and Cavite for estafa and violation of Republic Act 8799 or the Securities Regulation Code.
“This arrest sends a clear message: criminals cannot escape justice, no matter where they hide. We remain committed to protecting the public and ensuring the rule of law prevails,” Torre said.
Arrangements for Pantollana’s deportation were finalized during a meeting on Tuesday at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport Terminal 2.
He is scheduled to depart Indonesia at midnight Thursday and arrive in Manila at 5:50 a.m. (PNA)