Two more fugitives arrested

CEBU, Philippines — The Police Regional Office-7 has arrested two most wanted criminals in the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu in different services of warrant of arrest operations Wednesday.

In a press statement released by the PRO-7 Information Office, the first arrest was conducted in Sitio Mustang, Barangay Pusok, Lapu-lapu City.

Arrested was 52-year-old Eulogio Aron who was accused for two counts of rape.

Investigation of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Station 3 said the accused was an active member of the Philippine Air Force assigned at the 220th Airlift Wing in Lapu-lapu City.

The warrant of arrest was issued by Judge Mendulfo Ceniza Pintor Jr. of the Regional Trial Court Branch 72 in Lapu-Lapu City.

"He was tagged as No. 5 on the watch list," said the PRO-7 Information Office.

Meanwhile, Mandaue City's tenth fugitive of their most wanted list was also arrested by the elements of Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) Station 6.

The authorities identified the accused as Vince Opo Ople, 40, of Zone 7 Riverside, Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City.

Accordingly, Ople has a standing warrant of arrest for statutory rape issued by Judge Maria Dee Seares, Family Court Branch 6 in Mandaue City with no bail recommended.

Previously, Police Brigadier General Roque Eduardo Vega, PRO-7 director, said that Central Visayas is not a safe haven for the criminal and that police will go after fugitives on the loose.

Further, he commended the team for the successful operation against wanted persons.

Just last Monday, March 21, the PRO-7 arrested four most wanted persons with cases of rape with sexual assault, statutory rape, and acts of lasciviousness.

Among those were arrested was Zaldie Madungog, 65, second most wanted in Central Visayas for two counts of rape and sexual assault.

Still in the same day in Sitio Labsalex, Barangay Labangon, Cebu City, authorities also arrested a 47-year-old suspect for statutory rape and acts of lasciviousness. The arrested suspect was identified as Rex Redillas Gunhuran of Barangay Labangon, Cebu City.

The Carcar Police Station has also served a warrant of arrest against Merecris Tatoy Naveo for parricide charges issued by Judge Joy Redoble of the Regional Trial Court Branch 77 in Carcar City with no bail recommended.

Meanwhile, Cebu City's second-most wanted suspect was arrested in MJ Cuenco Avenue, Sitio Agay-ay, Barangay Tejero by the City Investigation and Detective Management Unit.

Authorities arrested 81-year-old Joel Narit Iyog who was facing three counts of acts of lasciviousness.

"This is a strong manifestation that Central Visayas is not a haven for criminals to hide," said Vega, in a statement released to the media. — GMR (FREEMAN)