Daven Tamayo

BI arrests American fugitive, Italian national in separate Iloilo–Guimaras operations

Article (news)

Jeff Caparas

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Agents of the Bureau of Immigration’s Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU), backed by the Naval Forces Central of the Philippine Navy, arrested two foreign nationals in separate enforcement operations in Guimaras and Iloilo for multiple criminal offenses and immigration violations.The operations, conducted on September 30, led to the arrest of Boyd Monte Murray, a 64-year-old American fugitive, in Barangay Rizal, Jordan, Guimaras, and Antonino Consoli, a 40-year-old Italian national, in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.BI FSU said the American fugitive is wanted for theft, larceny, and various scams.BI added that Murray has been wanted in the United States since the 1990s for theft, larceny, and other felony cases. A warrant of arrest was issued by the King County Superior Court in Washington in 1994, and U.S. authorities confirmed that he faces additional charges, including possession of stolen vehicles and fraud in several jurisdictions.Upon his arrest, Murray reportedly presented multiple fake IDs, including a counterfeit CIA identification card.According to BI-FSU Chief Atty. Rendel Sy, the arrest stemmed from tips provided by informants alleging that Murray had been selling beach properties without proper permits.“Napag-alaman natin na itong subject na ito ay matagal nang nagtatago dito sa atin at wanted sa U.S. dahil sa kaso niyang theft at larceny mula pa noong 1994 at 1995,” said Sy.“Nakitaan din natin siya ng mga fake na IDs, kasama na ang LTO driver’s license at isang peke umanong CIA ID na ginagamit daw niya para makapanloko,” he added.BI Spokesperson Dana Sandoval also confirmed Murray’s extensive criminal background in the U.S.“Marami-rami pong kaso na tinatakbuhan itong American national na ito, kabilang ang felony cases at possession ng mga ninakaw na sasakyan,” Sandoval said.“Ginagamit niya ang iba’t ibang fake IDs, kabilang ang law enforcement IDs, para makapanloko pa ng mas maraming tao,” she added.Murray reportedly entered the Philippines in 2007 on an immigrant visa but failed to update his immigration status. BI is also verifying reports that he scammed locals in Western Visayas.In a separate operation, BI-FSU agents apprehended Italian national Antonino Consoli in Mandurriao, Iloilo City. Consoli was accused by his estranged wife, a Filipina, of domestic abuse and an attempted murder in 2023.Sy said the case began after the Presidential Communications Office endorsed a complaint from Consoli’s spouse to the BI.“May reklamo sa kaniyang dating kinakasama na sinasabing inabuso siya at pinagtangkaan pa ang buhay. Nang i-verify natin sa Italian police, napag-alaman din na wanted siya sa Italy dahil sa bank fraud at tax evasion na umabot ng tatlong milyong euro,” Sy said.Sandoval added that Consoli had overstayed his visa after his probationary immigrant visa expired in 2024. His passport had also expired and was reported lost.“Siya po ay overstaying at undocumented alien. Nakita rin na nag-o-operate siya ng negosyo nang walang kaukulang visa o permit, kaya siya ay naisyuhan ng mission order at inaresto ng FSU,” Sandoval said.Verification with Italian authorities confirmed that the Catania Court issued an order for Consoli’s imprisonment in January 2024.Both Murray and Consoli are now detained at the BI Warden Facility and their deportation proceedings are now underway.However, Sy noted that they may also face criminal charges in the Philippines.“Most likely itong American fugitive ay may mga kasong estafa na kakaharapin dito. Sa Italian naman ay may kasong VAWC (violence against women and children) batay sa reklamo ng kaniyang dating asawa,” he said.Sandoval clarified that their deportation cases are based on separate grounds: Murray for being an undesirable alien and Consoli for overstaying and engaging in business without proper permits.“Kung may nakita pong violations sa Philippine laws, maaari rin silang kasuhan dito bago sila ideport,” Sandoval said.

Agents of the Bureau of Immigration’s Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU), backed by the Naval Forces Central of the Philippine Navy, have arrested two foreign nationals in separate enforcement operations in Guimaras and Iloilo for multiple criminal offenses and immigration violations.

Agents of the Bureau of Immigration’s Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU), backed by the Naval Forces Central of the Philippine Navy, have arrested two foreign nationals in separate enforcement operations in Guimaras and Iloilo for multiple criminal offenses and immigration violations.