‘Arrest Quezon ex-governor’

The National Bureau of Investigation launched a manhunt yesterday for a former Quezon province governor accused of insurance fraud in the United States.

According to the NBI, former Governor Eduardo Rodriguez has failed to give himself up despite the arrest of his wife Imelda in a Makati City condominium last Tuesday afternoon.

"It appears that he has really gone into hiding especially now that his wife has been arrested. I guess he has no plans of surrendering, said an NBI agent.

On Tuesday, agents of the NBI’s International Police division arrested Imelda shortly before noon at room 508 of the Prince Plaza Hotel along Dela Rosa St.

The NBI said that Eduardo Rodriguez allegedly had his wife and mother-in-law insured in the United States. In 1985, Eduardo allegedly declared his mother-in-law dead and claimed some $25,000 in benefits using a fake death certificate. The NBI also said that Eduardo also declared his wife dead using a fake death certificate.

But Eduardo failed to collect on his wife’s benefits after the insurance firm discovered that she was still alive in Quezon.

This prompted the US government to seek the help of the NBI in arresting the Rodriguez couple on charges of insurance fraud.

According to the NBI, warrants for the arrest of the Rodriguez couple were issued by the court based on information provided by the US Justice Department last April 26.

Last May 10, Eduardo filed for a temporary restraining order. But on June 18, the TRO was recalled by the Court of Appeals. Since then the couple went into hiding, the NBI noted.

Imelda was rushed to the Makati Medical Center following her arrest after complaining of chest pains, the NBI said. According to the NBI, bail for the couple was set at a whopping $1 million each.

After Imelda was arrested, the NBI expected her husband to appear at the NBI headquarters and surrender.

Ricardo Diaz, head of the NBI’s Interpol division said the US government is happy about the arrest of Imelda Rodriguez.

Diaz said that Imelda, who is detained at the NBI Jail, will stand trail for extradition to the US where she will face charges for insurance fraud.