07/09/2026
FOUR R**E CASES CATCH UP WITH EASTERN VISAYASβ NO. 1 MOST WANTED
The Philippine National Police, under the command of PNP Chief PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., arrested Eastern Visayasβ No. 1 Most Wanted Person in a manhunt operation in Purok 7, Barangay Banahao, Lianga, Surigao del Sur, on September 3, 2026, ending his flight from the law.
Arrested was alias βAsiong,β 53, male, single, and a farmer from Albuera, Leyte. The arrest was carried out by the 1st Leyte Provincial Mobile Force Company, in coordination with the Lianga Municipal Police Station, Albuera Municipal Police Station, Regional Intelligence Unit 8-Counter Intelligence Team Ormoc, and Anti-Kidnapping Group-Visayas Field Unit Ormoc Satellite Office.
The suspect was wanted under a Warrant of Arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court, Branch 14, Baybay City, Leyte, for three counts of Qualified R**e by Sexual Assault, with recommended bail totaling β±600,000.00, and one count of Qualified R**e, with no bail recommended.
Following his arrest, alias βAsiongβ was informed of the nature and cause of his arrest and apprised of his constitutional rights in a language known and understood by him. He was subsequently brought to the Lianga Municipal Police Station, Surigao del Sur, for proper disposition.
The arrest highlights the Enhanced Managing Police Operations priority under the PNP Focused Agenda, which strengthens the PNPβs pursuit of wanted persons through focused and accountable police operations.
βSerious offenses demand serious police action. We will use every lawful means available to locate wanted persons and ensure that they face the judicial process,β PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said.
βAng ganitong mga kaso ay hindi dapat binabalewala. Mananatiling masigasig ang PNP sa paghahanap sa mga wanted upang maibigay sa mga biktima ang hustisyang nararapat sa kanila,β he added.
The arrest demonstrates the PNPβs resolve to pursue individuals facing serious criminal charges while respecting human rights and due process. As the PNP strengthens its pursuit of wanted persons under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., it assures the public of βBagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman.β
(PNP-PIO)