By Jason De Asis
CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – Police authorities in Central Luzon scored a major breakthrough in their campaign against criminality with the arrest of the region’s most wanted person during a joint operation in Lubao, Pampanga on Tuesday morning.
The suspect, identified as Kurt Jayson Claudio, 27, was apprehended in Barangay Bancal Pugad, Lubao after an intelligence-driven operation by combined elements of the Regional Intelligence Division – Regional Special Operations Group (RID-RSOG) 3 (Central Luzon), the Police Regional Office (PRO) 3’s Cyber Patrol Team, the Lubao municipal police, and the Pampanga police.
Claudio, listed as the Top 1 Most Wanted Person in Central Luzon, is facing five counts of statutory rape.
Police said the warrants of arrest were issued by Judge Merideth D. Delos Santos-Malig of Regional Trial Court Branch 51 in Guagua, Pampanga on Aug. 6, with no bail recommended.
In a statement, PRO-3 Director, Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio I. Peñones Jr., commended the successful operation, saying it underscored the importance of intelligence-led policing and inter-agency cooperation.
“It reflects our commitment to the Seven-Point Agenda of acting Chief PNP, Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., particularly in sustaining campaigns against wanted persons, illegal drugs, and criminality,” Peñones said. “PRO-3 will continue to protect our communities through thorough planning, teamwork, and strict adherence to the rule of law.”
Claudio is now under police custody and will be presented in court to face the charges filed against him. (PNA)
