PRO 6 Apprehends Four Regional Most Wanted Persons in Coordinated Iloilo Operations
In a significant law enforcement achievement, operatives from the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO 6) successfully arrested four of the region's most wanted individuals in separate operations conducted on March 1, 2026, across New Lucena and Passi City in Iloilo province. The coordinated efforts underscore a heightened campaign to bring fugitives to justice and ensure public safety.
Commendations from Police Leadership
Police Brigadier General Josefino Ligan, the director of PRO 6, praised the arresting units for their diligence and effectiveness. "I commend our personnel for this remarkable job. On the first day of March alone, we were able to arrest four regional most wanted persons. This reflects our unwavering dedication to delivering justice to the victims. We assure the public that we will not stop until all wanted criminals are brought to justice," Ligan stated, highlighting the commitment of the police force to uphold law and order.
Details of the Arrests
The operations began early in the morning, with the first arrest occurring at 9:05 a.m. in Barangay Poblacion, New Lucena. The Tracker Team of the Zarraga Municipal Police Station, led by Police Captain Beberly Cataluña, apprehended the region's top Most Wanted Person, identified as alias Karl or Anton, a 21-year-old student from Barangay Bita-og Gaja, New Lucena. He was wanted for rape by carnal knowledge under specific provisions of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act 11648. A warrant issued on January 20, 2026, by the Regional Trial Court in Iloilo City recommended no bail, and he is now in custody at the Zarraga MPS.
Police Colonel Bayani Razalan, provincial director of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office, congratulated the Zarraga MPS for this successful operation, emphasizing the strong campaign against wanted persons to ensure accountability and justice for victims.
Minutes earlier, at 9:01 a.m., operatives from the Passi City Police Station arrested the region's second Most Wanted Person, alias Chy, 32, in Sitio Agbarire, Barangay Tagubong, Passi City. This suspect faced charges for two counts of statutory rape and lascivious conduct, with warrants issued on February 24 and 25, 2026, by the Regional Trial Court in Dumangas, Iloilo, setting bail at P200,000.
Later that morning, at 10:15 a.m., the region's fourth Most Wanted Person, alias Hein, 21, a resident of Barangay Cabilauan, New Lucena, was arrested in Barangay Poblacion, New Lucena. Personnel from the New Lucena MPS, assisted by the Zarraga MPS and the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group-Visayas Field Unit 6, executed the arrest based on a warrant for rape by sexual assault in relation to RA 7610, as amended by RA 11648, with bail fixed at P200,000.
At 10:20 a.m., in the same Barangay, operatives arrested the region's third Most Wanted Person, alias Icho, 21, for rape by carnal knowledge under similar legal provisions. A warrant issued on January 20, 2026, by the Regional Trial Court in Iloilo City recommended no bail. All four individuals are currently under police custody, pending proper disposition of their cases.
Intensified Efforts and Public Assurance
The PRO 6 and Ippo have stated that these coordinated operations reflect intensified efforts to locate and arrest wanted persons across Iloilo province. This proactive approach aims to enhance community safety and reinforce trust in the justice system. The arrests serve as a clear message that law enforcement agencies are relentless in their pursuit of criminals, ensuring that victims receive the justice they deserve.
