American fugitive falls to authorities

CEBU, Philippines - An American national wanted for involuntary manslaughter in Chicago was arrested yesterday by a composite team from the Bureau of Immigration and the National Bureau of Investigation in coordination with the US Embassy.

Gregory Howard Ladner, 51, who lived in an apartment in barangay Cabancalan, Mandaue City, was immediately brought to the BI regional office where he was temporarily put behind bars.

BI acting regional director Casimiro Madarang III said that they have been conducting surveillance for one a half months on the said American national, who has been a fugitive from justice since 2006 in the US.

Lawyer Aldwin Ty, operative of the Law Enforcement Division of BI said that Ladner will be brought to their Central Office in Manila as the latter will be subjected to deportation proceedings.

Ty said that Ladner is also facing one count of evading sentence (on his involuntary manslaughter case) when the latter came to the Philippines three years ago instead of facing his penalty.

Ty said that Ladner is married to a Filipina. His wife is however living in the US.

He was alone when he was arrested.

Ty said that Ladner is an undocumented alien, has not applied for any visa extension and of his residency here, and worst his passport has already been revoked.

“His undesirability as an alien is more than enough for him to be deported,” Ty said. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)