Time to bring Strunk home

The Philippine government will formally start coordinating with the US government for the immediate extradition of American Rod Strunk, who is facing arrest for the alleged murder of his wife, actress Nida Blanca.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will secure copies of all the documents of the Blanca case from the Pasig City court, including the warrant of arrest which Judge Alex Quiros issued Friday, NBI-International Police (Interpol) Division chief Ricardo Diaz said.

Diaz, who is also the NBI spokesman on the Blanca case, said the arrest warrant and other documents in the case are needed to support the immediate extradition of the accused so he can stand trial of the charges.

Strunk has been charged with murder for allegedly masterminding the slaying of Blanca on Nov. 7, 2002 at the Atlanta Center parking lot in Greenhills, San Juan.

Strunk left for California last year to visit his ailing mother. His mother later died but Strunk remained in the US.

"Since we can’t arrest Strunk right now, we will inform the court that we need copies of documents of the case to support the extradition proceedings against him by the DOJ," Diaz said.

He noted that Strunk’s case is similar to that of Manila Rep. Mark Jimenez, who was extradited last Dec. 26 for a string of cases, including alleged mail fraud, tax evasion and illegal campaign contributions to the Democratic Party of former President Bill Clinton in 1996.

Diaz hinted that the arraignment scheduled for would likely not push through because of Strunk’s absence.

Under the law, the accused should be physically present in court during an arraignment so he can enter his plea – whether guilty or not guilty of the charges leveled against him.

Aside from Strunk, Philip Medel Jr. and a John Doe have also been charged with Blanca’s murder.

Medel had initially admitted killing the actress, Dorothy Jones in real life, after Strunk allegedly gave him P50,000. He, however, recanted and claimed the` police tortured him into admitting to the crime.

Despite this, the DOJ used Medel’s statement in indicting them for the murder of Blanca.

NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco gave his assurance that the bureau would be in constant coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to monitor the whereabouts of Strunk, so he could be immediately located once the extradition is granted by US authorities.