CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Three top-tier fugitives wanted for parricide and illegal drugs were arrested in Bukidnon following a series of joint police operations across the province, an official said on Monday.
Major Joann Navarro, Police Regional Office-10 (PRO-10) spokesperson, said the separate apprehensions of the suspects on June 25 were “not just about executing warrants but preventing future crimes.”
“Removing them from our streets is a crucial part of crime prevention and our continuous effort to keep every community safe and peaceful,” Navarro told the Inquirer.
In his report to Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano, PRO-10 director, Bukidnon police chief Col. Oliver Sotto Navales attributed the successful apprehensions to the tight coordination between operating units and local residents.
At 8:56 a.m., authorities arrested municipal-level sixth most wanted person (MWP) Rodillo “Kibong” Ramoso Wapen, 51, a laborer, at Purok-3, Barangay San Isidro, Kitaotao.
READ: Hunt on for three inmates who fled Bukidnon town jail
Wapen was apprehended by virtue of a warrant of arrest for violating Sections 11 and 12 of Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, with recommended bail bonds of P100,000 and P20,000, respectively.
The operation was led by the Kitaotao Municipal Police Station (MPS), alongside several regional and provincial intelligence and mobile force units, as well as the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 10. He is now in the custody of the Kitaotao police station.
At 2:35 p.m., the Damulog Municipal Police Station arrested its second MWP, Joseph Pustanes, 28, a laborer, at Purok-9, Barangay Romagooc, Kibawe town.
Pustanes was arrested to serve his sentence for violating Sections 5 and 11 of RA 9165.
At almost the same time, a separate joint operation in Malaybalay City led to the arrest of another Top 6 MWP.
Winheart Longakit Simplon, 24, a laborer, was apprehended at Sitio Panamucan, Barangay San Jose for parricide, with no bail recommended.
The operation was spearheaded by the Lantapan MPS together with the Malaybalay City Police Station.
Simplon is currently in the custody of the Lantapan MPS. /mcm
