Fugitive captured after 29 years on the run

A man who escaped from prison 29 years ago was arrested by elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Thursday.

Rommel Lachica, who has acquired American citizenship, was collared while visiting his relatives in Barangay San Juan in Cainta, Rizal. He was brought back to the New Bilibid Prison.

CIDG chief Director Victor Deona said the Pasig Regional Trial Court sentenced Lachica to life imprisonment for robbery with homicide in 1979.

Lachica escaped on March 18, 1986. He left for Los Angeles, California and became a US citizen sometime in 1990 under the name Rommel Reyes Agoncillo.

He faces charges for illegal use of an alias and falsification of public documents.