The police have extradited a fugitive wanted on charges of murder and rape in the Philippines, Philippine Ambassador Jose Brillantes said today.

"Both sides made a symbolic tranfer on Friday but the physical handing over of the fugitive to the Philippine authorities was on Saturday," Brillantes told AFP.

"I have no confirmation yet but it is quite likely he has already been sent back to the Philippines, where he will face multiple charges," he said.

Rape and murder

Noel Nericueco, who is wanted for a series of murders, swindles and rapes in the Philippines, was arrested by police last month in Penang.

Nericueco, 39, who aside from using a forged Thai passport to enter the country, was linked to six fraud cases involving more than RM500,000 (131,580 dollars) in the past two years, deputy chief of the Criminal Investigation Department, Musa Hassan said.

Hassan was quoted by the Sunday Star as saying Nericueco was handed over to the Philippine authorities for breaking immigration laws here.

Nericueco is the alleged leader of a gang that Philippine authorities say carried out several contract killings in the past decade. He fled the Philippines several years ago. (AFP)