This Story Has Been Largely Overlooked -- Why?

Espionage Sentence Shortened for Man Who Faces Extradition
Former Filipino officer accused of ordering murder in homeland
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
BY JOE RYAN
Star-Ledger Staff

Excerpted portions: A federal judge in Newark yesterday reduced the espionage sentence of a former Philippine National Police officer, clearing the way for a hearing to determine if he will be extradited to his homeland to face murder charges.

Michael Ray Aquino, who has been imprisoned since 2005 for possessing classified U.S. military documents, was resentenced to three years and 10 months, which would have made him eligible for immediate release.

Aquino, however, will remain in custody pending an extradition hearing. He is wanted in the Philippines for the death of two men authorities say were slain as part of a political vendetta.

Yesterday's proceeding stems from Aquino's 2006 guilty plea to possessing a military document. The classified document was stolen by a U.S. military analyst authorities say was linked to a plot to overthrow the Philippines government.

. . .

He once headed an elite anti-organized crime task force for the Philippines National Police and is charged in the 2000 murder of a high-profile publicist, Salvador Dacer, and Dacer's driver, Emmanuel Corbito. Authorities say the two men were killed by rogue members of the national police loyal former president Joseph Estrada.

. . .

Aragoncillo [recruited by Aquino] grew up in Manila and moved to New Jersey as a young man. He joined the Marines, became a citizen and eventually worked as a military analyst under Vice Presidents Al Gore and Dick Cheney. In 2004, he took a job as an FBI intelligence analyst detailed to Fort Monmouth.

At some point, Aragoncillo began stealing classified and national security documents. Aquino's role was never fully disclosed, but authorities said the espionage was part of a larger plot to overthrow Philippines President Gloria Arroyo.

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Comment:  Kudos to  reporter Joe Ryan.  Now if only the Star-Ledger would send him to Manila to get the rest of the story.

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