CATBALOGAN, Philippines — Three most wanted individuals—one at the regional level and two at the provincial level—were arrested in separate police operations in Northern and Western Samar this week, according to the Samar Police Provincial Office (SPPO).
Authorities said the arrests were the result of intensified law enforcement efforts under the nationwide Simultaneous Anti-Criminality and Law Enforcement Operations (SACLEO) campaign.
On Monday, August 25, joint police units captured the No. 6 most wanted person in the region, identified only by the alias “Allan,” 41, a resident of Barangay Cinco, Sta. Margarita, Samar. He was apprehended in Barangay Magsaysay, Lope de Vega, Northern Samar, by operatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Western Samar, Sta. Margarita Municipal Police Station, and the Provincial Intelligence Unit.
“Allan” was wanted for murder based on a warrant issued by Judge Maricar Rubante Lucero of RTC Branch 32 in Calbayog City. No bail was recommended. Police said he was informed of his constitutional rights and was taken to the CIDG office for processing before turnover to the court.
Two days later, on August 27, Gandara police arrested two more fugitives—both listed as provincial-level most wanted—in separate operations.
At 7:20 a.m., officers arrested a suspect known as “Tony,” 23, a driver from Barangay Concepcion, Gandara, at Barangay Dumalo-ong. He was listed as the No. 3 Most Wanted Person at the provincial level and was wanted for rape under a warrant issued by Judge Maricar R. Lucero of RTC Branch 41 in Gandara, dated March 31, 2022. No bail was recommended.
Less than an hour later, at 8:15 a.m., the same police unit apprehended “Jojo,” 27, a laborer and also a resident of Barangay Concepcion, at Barangay Minda. He was listed as the No. 4 Most Wanted Person in Samar, facing a separate rape charge under a May 31, 2022 warrant from the same court. Again, no bail was recommended.
Both suspects are currently in the custody of the Gandara Municipal Police Station for documentation and will be turned over to the courts of origin.
Samar Provincial Director Col. Arwin M. Tadeo commended the officers involved in both operations, noting that the back-to-back arrests demonstrate the local police’s commitment to justice and public safety.
“These operations highlight our determination to pursue and apprehend fugitives, no matter how long it takes,” Tadeo said in a statement. “We will continue to intensify our efforts under SACLEO to ensure that criminals have no safe haven in Samar.”
SPPO said it remains committed to tracking down other wanted individuals and dismantling criminal elements that threaten peace and order in the province. (Ricky Bautista)
