Filipino on FBI’s Most Wanted list

A FILIPINO man from Los Angeles wanted for the murder of his pregnant girlfriend last month has been named to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.

Philip Patrick Policarpio, 39, was charged with first-degree murder on April 22 in Los Angeles. Authorities have issued local, state and federal warrants for his arrest, and are offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction.

“His pattern is one of violence, and he is always armed,” said Special Agent Scott Garriola, a member of the FBI’s Los Angeles Fugitives Task Force. “He is the definition of a continuing threat to the community.”

The FBI said the Filipino fugitive may have traveled to Las Vegas and has family ties to the Philippines.

During a card game last month with associates and friends, Policarpio got into an argument with his girlfriend who was 17 weeks pregnant. Garriola said Policarpio, in front of everyone, began beating her with his fists, then pulled out a gun and shot her in the head, killing her and her unborn child instantly.

Witnesses at the scene said he fled and has not been seen since.

On May 16, Policarpio was charged with a second count of murder of a human fetus with malice aforethought, according to ABC News.

At the time of the killing, Policarpo was on parole for multiple counts of attempted murder in a 2000 case in Burbank, according to the Los Angeles Times. In that case, he fired multiple rounds at a vehicle, shooting a woman in the head and a man in the shoulder. Both victims survived. He fled to the Philippines with the help of his mother, according to the complaint, and was extradited back to the United States a year later after being caught by Philippine authorities.

“We believe – based on not only his criminal history, but what seems to be a clear propensity for violence coupled with the fact that he’s on the run – that he’s clearly a danger to society and needs to be caught,” said FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller in Los Angeles, according to The Associated Press.

Policarpio is also wanted by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for violating his parole. In 2001, he was convicted for assault with a firearm by an ex-felon as well as narcotics violations, according to ABC News. He was released on parole in May 2015 after serving only part of his 14-year sentence for that case.

The Filipino suspect is described as 5-foot-8 with brown eyes, black hair and weighing between 150 to 165 pounds. He has a shaved head; a scar near his left eye; a mole on his right nostril below his right lip; tattoos on his back left thigh and both arms; a tattoo on his chest that says “Only God Can Judge Me;” and may wear eyeglasses.

Also named to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list is Luis Macedo, a Latin Kings street gang member from Chicago wanted for the murder of a 15-year-old boy in 2009. Macedo and Policarpio are the 507th and 508th individuals to be named to the list.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Los Angeles Field Office at (310) 477-6565. Those outside the United States may contact the nearest US Embassy or Consulate.

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