Western Visayas Police Apprehend Multiple High-Profile Fugitives in Coordinated Operations
Operatives from the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO 6) successfully arrested several regional most wanted persons during separate manhunt operations conducted on March 2 and March 3, 2026. The coordinated efforts targeted suspects facing serious criminal charges across Iloilo City, Iloilo province, and Aklan, demonstrating intensified police action against fugitives.
Police Leadership Commends Successful Apprehension Efforts
Police Brigadier General Josefino Ligan, the director of PRO 6, praised the operating units for their effective execution and reiterated the police force's unwavering commitment to pursuing justice. "This successful operation demonstrates our firm resolve to track down and arrest individuals who attempt to evade justice," Ligan stated. "We remain steadfast in our commitment to protect the vulnerable sectors of our community and to ensure that those accused of heinous crimes are brought before the court of law."
He emphasized that the arrests highlight the police organization's determination to hold perpetrators accountable for serious offenses. "The arrests of these top most wanted individuals demonstrate our steadfast commitment to hold perpetrators of heinous crimes accountable. We will continue to protect our communities and ensure that justice is served," Ligan added.
Details of the Arrested Most Wanted Persons
The highest-ranked individual apprehended was a 36-year-old man identified as alias RM, listed as the second most wanted person at the city level. He was arrested around 9 p.m. on March 3, 2026, in Barangay Sooc, Arevalo District, Iloilo City. Police executed a warrant of arrest for statutory rape under Article 266-A paragraph (1)(d) of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act 8353 and further amended by RA 11648. The suspect is currently under police custody pending turnover to the appropriate court.
In Aklan, police operatives arrested a 62-year-old farmer known as alias Andre, who was listed as the seventh most wanted person at the regional level. The arrest occurred around 6:30 a.m. on March 3, 2026, in Barangay Daguitan, Banga, Aklan, through service of a warrant for rape under paragraph 2 of Article 266-A of the Revised Penal Code as amended by RA 8353. The accused remains in the custody of Banga Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.
A separate operation in Iloilo province led to the arrest of alias Rommy, a 25-year-old laborer and resident of Barangay Acao, Cabatuan, Iloilo. He was apprehended around 5:20 p.m. on March 2, 2026, by the Tracker Team of the Cabatuan Municipal Police Station. Identified as the ninth most wanted person at both regional and provincial levels of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office, he faces two counts of statutory rape under Article 266-A paragraph D of the Revised Penal Code.
Additionally, alias Gerry, a 52-year-old barangay tanod and resident of Barangay Libang, Makato, Aklan, was arrested at 6:51 p.m. on March 2, 2026, in Makato. Tagged as the tenth regional most wanted person, he faces two counts of statutory rape under Article 266-A in relation to Article 266-B of the Revised Penal Code.
Ongoing Police Efforts and Legal Proceedings
All arrested individuals are currently under police custody for proper disposition and turnover to the respective courts that issued their warrants. Police authorities confirmed that these apprehensions were part of intensified manhunt operations being carried out across Western Visayas to locate and apprehend wanted persons facing serious criminal charges. The operations reflect a broader strategy to enhance community safety and ensure accountability within the judicial system.
