Cebu’s ‘most wanted’ arrested, posts bail

CEBU, Philippines — An activist leader listed as Cebu Province’s No. 1 most wanted person was arrested on an outstanding warrant in connection with an attempted murder case in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City on Monday afternoon, August 31, 2026.

John Tabada Ruiz, 54, vice president of Makabayan Visayas and Central Visayas coordinator of progressive group Bayan Muna, was arrested by personnel of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Cebu City Field Unit at around 5:56 p.m.

The warrant was issued by Judge Walter Zorilla of the Regional Trial Court Branch 55 in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, with a recommended bail of P120,000.

Ruiz was reportedly arrested after returning home from a rally at the University of the Philippines Cebu held in observance of National Heroes Day.

Personnel from the CIDG-7 Regional Special Operation Team, Regional Intelligence Unit 7, Provincial Intelligence Team of Negros Occidental, and Guadalupe Police Station assisted in serving the warrant.

Ruiz said he had no knowledge of any armed encounter and maintained that he knew he was not guilty. He said this was why he willingly went with the members of the CIDG.

“Wako mo-resist sa dihang gihunongan ko sa CIDG. Pagkakita nako sa warrant akong giingnan nga mokuyog ko kay andam ko mu-atubang ani,” he said.

However, he denied involvement in any armed encounter and maintained that the case against him was fabricated and intended to silence activists.

“Ako kompiyansa ko sa akong kaugalingon wala gyud ko katunob anang Himamaylan ug nahimong kabahin sa usa ka armadong engkwentro kung mao man gani ang duda kay wala may lain nganong naa man koy frustrated murder nga kaso… kamo sayod man mo isip media naa ra gyud ko diri sa Cebu City makita akong nawong sa tanang protesta ug paglihok ug ingon man pagkuan sa adbokasiya sa atong katawhan nga nanawagan,” he added.

The warrant was issued in connection with an attempted murder case filed against Ruiz in Negros Occidental and was served in Cebu City after he was listed as a wanted person.

Ruiz was later released after posting the P120,000 bail, according to Karapatan Central Visayas.

The group said supporters helped raise funds for his bail and legal defense.

Karapatan Central Visayas also questioned the use of criminal charges against activists, saying such cases could be used to intimidate and silence dissent.

The group said it would continue to support Ruiz and call for accountability over what it described as the criminalization of dissent. — /MRM (FREEMAN)