Filipino fugitive linked to investment scam deported from Indonesia —CIDG

A Filipino fugitive allegedly linked to an investment scam was deported from Indonesia and arrived in the Philippines early Thursday morning, the Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said.

In a statement, the CIDG identified the Filipino as “Pantollana,” who had multiple warrants for estafa and syndicated estafa.

“Upon his arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA) in Pasay City at 5:40 AM PST on November 28, 2024, Pantollana completed standard immigration procedures,” the CIDG said.

“Shortly after, CIDG personnel executed seventeen warrants of arrest against him for multiple charges of estafa and syndicated estafa,” it added.

Pantollana was transported to the CIDG Headquarters at Camp Crame, Quezon City and detained at the Anti-Organized Crime Unit (AOCU) facility.

CIDG chief Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III said Pantollano was turned over to Philippine authorities at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta at 12:05 p.m. on Thursday (Indonesia time).

“His deportation from Indonesia and subsequent arrest mark a significant milestone in the CIDG's commitment to bringing fugitives to justice and safeguarding the Filipino public from organized crime, dahil ang gusto ng pulis ligtas ka,” Torre said.

Pantollana was arrested on November 9 in a joint operation of Philippine, Indonesian, and INTERPOL authorities at Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali.

He was arrested while trying to board a flight to Hong Kong amid an INTERPOL Red Notice issued against him.

Pantollana is wanted in the Philippines for multiple cases of syndicated estafa and swindling, according to the CIDG. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News