27 February 2004 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert lauded the swift arrest of Dean Faiello, an unlicensed doctor suspected for the death of Maria Pilar Cruz, a Filipina-American banker, in New York last year.

Faiello was apprehended in Costa Rica where he had allegedly gone into hiding several months after Cruz was reported missing by her family. He will be brought back to the United States for trial.

“I praise the police authorities involved in the arrest of the suspect responsible for Cruz’s death,” Secretary Albert said.  “Let us hope that this will result in justice being served for Cruz’s family. I have instructed
Ambassador Albert Del Rosario in Washington to keep us informed on this case and to provide assistance to Cruz’s family should they require it.”

Cruz’s body was found last week encased in cement in a house once owned by Faiello in New Jersey. Her family is currently in the US to attend to Cruz’s funeral. - END