Mimaropa's third most wanted suspect nabbed in Caloocan

MANILA, Philippines - The Northern-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) police officers arrested the third most wanted fugitive from the Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) region in Caloocan City Thursday.

Chief Inspector Ruben Lacuesta, Northern-CIDG chief, said Landro Ariola, 30, native of Occidental Mindoro, is wanted by Mimaropa authorities for murder and other alleged crimes and have put up a P75,000 reward for his arrest.

“He has a standing warrant of arrest for murder issued by Judge Jose Jacinto of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 46,” Lacuesta told The STAR.

Lacuesta said his office was still coordinating yesterday with other police units in the provinces to verify intelligence reports claiming that Ariola is allegedly linked to other murder cases in Mimaropa.

“The suspect is very elusive. He changed residences many times and even presented to us dubious identification papers during his arrest,” Lacuesta said. “But he could not forever hide from the law.”

Asked about the accusations, Ariola denied being involved in any murder case. “I have nothing to do with any murder case, and I’m not in hiding,” he said as police led him to their vehicle en route to Camp Crame.

The Northern-CIDG arrested Ariola in Sta. Quiteria, Caloocan City at around 2:45 p.m. after more than two weeks of surveillance.

Lacuesta said the suspect’s arrest was effected through information provided by a local anti-crime group and the residents of Sta. Quiteria.

Ariola was brought yesterday to the CIDG main office in Camp Crame. He will be turned over to the Mimaropa provincial police office, police said.