FIVE most wanted persons in the country, three of them facing non-bailable rape charges, were arrested this week as a result of Philippine National Police Intelligence Group (PNP-IG)-led manhunt operations, a report to PNP chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar said on Monday.

One of the suspects identified as Francisco dela Cruz alias ‘Kikoy,’ tagged as the 9thmost wanted man in Biliran, was arrested in his hiding place in Sitio Tinibagan, Barangay Biasong in San Isidro, Leyte on the strength of a warrant for six counts of rape issued by Judge Enrique Asis of the Naval, Biliran Regional Trial Court Branch 16 on December 12, 2005.

No bail was recommended for the temporary liberty of the accused, said PNP-IG director, Brigadier Gen. Warren F. de Leon.

The official said that following a manhunt operation initiated by the Regional Intelligence Unit 8, the suspect was surprised in his hideout in Leyte. The accused is wanted for allegedly raping his then 17-year old cousin repeatedly in 2005.

A 2nd most wanted rape suspect identified as Eladio Pangasinan, the 11th most wanted person in Calabarzon region was arrested in Bgy. Esperanza in Alfonso, Cavite on the basis of a warrant of arrest for three counts of rape issued by Judge Manuel Salumedes of the Calauag, Quezon CTC Branch 64 on November 17, 2009.

De Leon said that the 58-year old suspect was arrested thru the efforts of the RIU4-A.

He added that Pangasinan is wanted for allegedly raping a minor in their neighborhood in Bgy. Sta. Cruz in Guinayangan, Quezon in 2009.

The 3rd suspect, Estercacio Oriol, identified as the 4th most wanted man in Eastern Visayas was arrested along Camachile Street in Bgy. CAA in Las Piñas City on the basis of warrants for two counts of sexual assault, two counts of rape and rape thru sexual abuse issued by two different judges in Leyte.

De Leon said that RIU8 operatives spearheaded the operation which netted the suspect. He said that no bail was recommended for the temporary liberty of the accused by Judge Emelinda Maquilan of the Carigara, Leyte RTC Branch 13 last Mach 26.

Judge Lauro Andres Castillo of the Carigara RTC Branch 36 recommended a P200,000 bail for each rape thru sexual assault cases filed against the suspect. The man became wanted for raping a minor in his residence in Bgy. Sta. Rosa in Bayugo, Leyte in November 2020.

The 4th identified as Narciso Hao, a wanted member of the New People’s Army in Bicol region was apprehended in Pio V. Corpuz, Masbate on the basis of a warrant of arrest for violation of Republic Act 9851 or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity issued by Judge Igmedio Emelio Camposano of the Cataingan, Masbate RTC Branch 49 on July 16, 2020 with no bail recommended.

De Leon said that members of the RIU5, with the support of the Police Regional Office 5 headed by Brig. Gen. Jonnel C. Estomo and the PNP Special Action Force under Brig. Gen. Felipe R. Natividad arrested the suspect in Purok Avocado in Bgy. Alegria, Pio V. Corpuz where he has been tagged as the 5th most wanted man.

The PNP-IG director said the accused has been identified as among the NPA members involved in a bomb attack on members of the Pio V. Corpuz Municipal Police Station last April 3.

The 5th identified as Marlon Fernando,35, described as the 3rd most wanted person in Antique, was arrested along the national highway in Bgy. Antipuluan in Narra, Palawan following an RIU4-B-initiated manhunt operation.

De Leon said the suspect is the subject of a warrant of arrest for murder with no bail recommended on September 27, 2011 by Judge Romeo Casalan of the Bugasong, Antique RTC Branch 64.