Authorities in Pampanga are actively searching for a suspended local official who has evaded arrest on serious corruption charges. Police efforts to serve a court-issued warrant have so far been unsuccessful, leaving the mayor at large.
Police Manhunt Underway for Missing Mayor
According to Pampanga Police Provincial Office director Colonel Eugene Marcelo, police units were unable to locate and arrest suspended San Simon Mayor Abundio “JP” Punsalan Jr. as of Thursday afternoon, December 4, 2025. Law enforcement officers conducted operations at several of the mayor's known residences but came up empty-handed.
“Pinuntahan na siya sa mga known addresses niya sa San Simon, Angeles City at sa Metro Manila pero wala po siya doon,” Colonel Marcelo stated. This translates to authorities having checked his addresses in San Simon, Angeles City, and Metro Manila without success. The police director confirmed that the search operation is ongoing until Punsalan is apprehended.
Serious Charges and Non-Bailable Offense
The manhunt stems from two arrest warrants issued by the Sandiganbayan First Division on November 17, 2025. The charges are grave:
- Graft in connection with the alleged unlawful purchase of a ₱45-million property in 2023. The court set bail for this charge at ₱90,000.
- Malversation of public funds, a non-bailable offense, linked to the same transaction.
The cases allege that Punsalan misused public money for the multi-million peso property acquisition, leading to the dual charges from the anti-graft court.
Official Declared a Fugitive from Justice
With the warrants unserved and his location unknown, the suspended mayor's status has been officially elevated. “Currently, considered siya as a fugitive until either sumuko siya voluntarily or mahanap siya ng mga kapulisan natin,” Colonel Marcelo declared. This means Punsalan is now legally considered a fugitive and will remain so until he either surrenders voluntarily or is captured by police forces.
As of the latest reports, neither Mayor Punsalan nor anyone from his camp has released an official statement addressing the warrants or the ongoing police search. The situation leaves the municipality of San Simon in a state of political uncertainty as law enforcement continues its province-wide, and potentially nationwide, pursuit.
