US Marine visited Philippines often

The retired US Marine at the centre of an espionage investigation at the FBI and White House travelled to the Philippines numerous times to pass sensitive US documents to Opposition leaders here, according to official records.

Leandro Aragoncillo, a naturalised US citizen charged with stealing more than 100 documents from the FBI, visited his home country on 15 separate occasions from 2000 to 2005, usually staying about two weeks or less, Philippine Bureau of Immigration records show.

In addition, authorities say that a former national police official also charged in the case, Michael Ray Aquino, had a valid Philippine passport and US tourist visa when he entered the United States in July 2001 despite being charged by Filipino authorities in connection with cases involving allegations of murder, kidnapping and drug trafficking.

US authorities have declined to say why they were unaware of their spying until Aragoncillo drew their attention by attempting to intervene after Aquino was arrested for overstaying his visa.

The subsequent investigation has raised the possibility that Aragoncillo pilfered classified documents while working as a security official in the office of Vice-President Dick Cheney.

Former president Joseph Estrada and Senator Panfilo 'Ping' Lacson have admitted in interviews with The Washington Post and other media that they received US documents from Aragoncillo, but both have downplayed the information as gossip or routine political analysis.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said on Friday that Estrada and Lacson also may have financed Aragoncillo and Aquino's activities.

If that is proven, Gonzalez said, they could be charged in the Philippines for sedition.