Fugitive arrested in Manda

After two years as a fugitive, the number one most wanted crime suspect in Mandaluyong was arrested Thursday night during a raid in his safehouse in the city.

Rex Arguelles, 24, who is facing murder and robbery with murder charges, did not resist arrest when elements of the Mandaluyong City police warrant section cornered him in his safehouse at MCMH compound in Barangay Mauway at about 8:30 p.m.

Arguelles, who was armed with a caliber .38 revolver, gave himself up peacefully.

The raiders led by PO3 Joselito Bieles cordoned off Arguelles safehouse after receiving reports about Arguelles’ presence there. Bieles and his companions were armed with an arrest warrant issued by Judge Edwin Sorongon of the Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court Branch 214.

Police said Arguelles and two others identified as Alvin Batan and Rey Zarate were responsible for stabbing to death a certain Petronillo Blanche last Feb. 24, 2000. He is also being sought for robbery with murder in Binangonan, Rizal.

Police said Arguelles was using several aliases such as Rex Francis Achay, Buboy Achay and Rex Paralejas to throw off pursuing policemen.

The suspect was talking to his neighbors when Bieles and his companions arrived.

Upon seeing something bulging in his waist, Bieles pulled out his service caliber 9 mm automatic pistol, pointed it to Arguelles and ordered him not to move. "We found it hard to locate him because he uses a number of aliases," said Bieles in an interview.

Arguelles was whisked to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) detention cell in Mandaluyong City. Police said additional charges of illegal possession of firearms charges will be filed against him. – Non Alquitran