BI arrests American fugitive wanted for 31 years

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced Thursday, Oct. 9, that it had arrested a U.S. national in Jordan, Guimaras, who had been wanted in the United States for nearly 31 years.

The BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU), in coordination with the Philippine Navy’s Naval Forces Central, apprehended 64-year-old Boyd Monte Murray during an operation at the Pantalan area of Barangay Rizal in Jordan on Sept. 30.

Authorities also arrested an undocumented and overstaying Italian chef in Iloilo City on the same date.

When questioned, Murray presented multiple identification cards but failed to produce a valid passport.

The BI cited a communication from the U.S. Embassy in Manila confirming that Murray had an outstanding arrest warrant issued by the King County Superior Court in Seattle, Washington, on Dec. 2, 1994, for theft.

He is also reportedly facing multiple charges in various U.S. jurisdictions, including possession of stolen vehicles, larceny, and other felony offenses.

“Community reports and social media monitoring flagged Murray’s alleged history of criminal activity, including prior convictions for fraud, theft, and burglary,” the BI said in a press release.

“More disturbingly, he was reported to have engaged in repulsive online behavior, including posting lewd remarks on social media accounts of underage girls.”

Murray will be transferred to Manila for booking and documentation before being turned over to the BI Warden Facility.