Newark, N.J. – An FBI intelligence analyst with top-secret clearance was charged Monday with passing classified information about Filipino leaders to current and former officials of that nation.
The analyst, Leandro Aragoncillo, sent some of the material to Michael Ray Aquino, a former deputy director of the Philippines National Police who lives in New York City, according to an FBI complaint made public Monday.
Both men were arrested Saturday at their homes.
Aragoncillo, 46, of Woodbury, was hired to work at the Army’s Fort Monmouth in July 2004 and began sending classified information and documents in January, according to the complaint.
From May to Aug. 15, Aragoncillo printed or downloaded 101 classified documents relating to the Philippines, of which 37 were classified “secret,” the complaint said. Details of the documents’ contents were not disclosed in court papers or in court.
U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie said there was no evidence that the administration of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was involved, but he would not say if the suspects were in contact with opposition factions.
The Asian nation has been beset by persistent coup rumors since Arroyo was accused of rigging last year’s elections.
Aquino is not related to former Philippine President Corazon Aquino.
Aragoncillo, a Marine for 21 years, and Aquino were ordered held without bail after an appearance before a federal magistrate.
After his arrest, Aragoncillo “essentially admitted that he took classified information,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Karl Buch told the magistrate.
Aragoncillo, a Filipino who is a naturalized U.S. citizen, was suspended by the FBI on Monday. Leslie Wiser Jr., the special agent in charge of the FBI’s New Jersey operations, said it was “disheartening” that one of the agency’s workers faces such charges.
Christie would not say what motivated the suspects.
