By Jason De Asis

MUGSHOT. The mugshot of one of the three most wanted persons in Central Luzon arrested by police operatives on Tuesday (Sept. 2, 2025). The wanted persons were nabbed in separate operations across the region due to statutory rape charges, among others. (Photo courtesy of PRO-3)

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – Police operatives in Central Luzon achieved another significant victory in their fight against crime by arresting three additional individuals who are among the region’s most wanted persons (MWPs) during separate operations on Tuesday.

In Meycauayan City, Bulacan, joint police operatives arrested Gian Gabriel Manalili, tagged as the region’s fourth MWP due to statutory rape and acts of lasciviousness charges.

The Regional Trial Court Branch 121 in Meycauayan City recommended no bail for Manalili, a construction worker and resident of Marilao town in the same province, for his rape charges.

In Minalin, Pampanga, police operatives nabbed Aldrich Pujeda, listed as the region’s seventh MWP, also due to statutory rape charges.

Meanwhile, in Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan, a police tracker team arrested Erwin Grieta, listed as the eighth most wanted at the regional level, also due to statutory rape.

Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones Jr., director of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 3 (Central Luzon), commended the operating units for their relentless pursuit of fugitives.

“These back-to-back arrests, coming right after the capture of our Top 1 MWP regional level, underscore the relentless and intelligence-driven manhunt operations of PRO-3. We will continue to hunt fugitives until justice is served for their victims,” Peñones said in a statement Wednesday.

He added that the achievements align with acting Philippine National Police Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.’s 7-Point Agenda, especially the intensified manhunt and case build-up to hold offenders accountable. (PNA)