By Connie Calipay
LEGAZPI CITY – The Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) has arrested four most wanted fugitives in the region during its three-day operation against criminals.
In a report on Wednesday, PRO-5 spokesperson Lt. Col. Malu Calubaquib said the four were arrested in separate operations in Albay, Camarines Sur, and Cavite from Monday to Wednesday.
Calubaquib said two of them were arrested in Albay — a man identified as alias Chad and charged with qualified theft was arrested in Polangui at around 4:40 p.m. on Monday, and another one wanted for statutory rape was nabbed in Tiwi, Albay early Wednesday.
“Another regional most wanted was arrested in Sagñay, Camarines Sur, on Monday, also for the crime of rape,” she added.
The fourth suspect was arrested also on Monday in Cavite province.
“The suspect, identified as alias Ron and a provincial most wanted in Camarines Sur, was arrested in Barangay 13 Agila, Cavite City, Cavite. He was also wanted for a crime of rape and had been evading the law for a long time,” she said.
In a statement, PRO-5 Director Andre Dizon commended the successful operation of PRO-5 operatives in the campaign against criminals and enforcement of the law throughout the region.
“Our operatives are relentless in their efforts to hold offenders accountable and maintain peace and security in the region,” he said.
Meanwhile, two high-ranking New People’s Army (NPA) officials in Sorsogon surrendered to the government on Tuesday, through the coordination of operatives from the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army.
The surrendered individuals were identified as alias Rod, 38, a vice commanding officer of the Kilusang Larangan Guerrilla 2, Bicol Regional Party Committee (BRPC), who had been an active NPA member since 2003; and alias Lando, 37, a team leader of the Sub-Regional Guerilla Unit, Sub-Regional Committee 3 of the Bicol Regional Party Committee (SRYG, SRC3, BRPC), who had served in the movement for more than two decades.
The rebels also turned over their firearms, a caliber .45 pistol (Colt) with serial number 979531, a caliber .38 revolver, and an improvised hand grenade, and were brought to Bulan Municipal Police Station (MPS) for proper disposition.
Dizon said their surrender was part of the government’s ongoing campaign against insurgency under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
Through this program, they will receive various benefits, including financial assistance, livelihood training, housing support, and other reintegration aid to help them start a new life within a peaceful community.
“The surrender of these two high-ranking NPA officials marks a significant step toward strengthening peace and security in the Bicol region,” Dizon added. (with a report from Valerie Olaño, OJT/PNA)
