PHILIPPINE National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) Director Brigadier General Ronald O. Lee on Monday announced the arrest of 14 wanted lawbreakers in the country, including a former municipal treasurer in Zamboanga del Norte accused of graft and corrupt practices.

In a report to PNP Chief General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr., the official said that a 72-year-old suspect was arrested in Barangay Barra in Dipolog City in Zamboanga del Norte on Wednesday on the strength of a warrant of arrest issued by the Dipolog City Regional Trial Court Branch 6.

Lee said that Judge Rene Dondoyano, in December 2018, recommended a P2.580 million bail for the suspect in connection with 86 counts of violation of Section 3 of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and a P2.460 million bail for 70 counts of malversation of government property; and a P290,000 bail for nine counts of malversation charges issued in 2019.

The official said that the suspect was the municipal treasurer of Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte, when he and then-Mayor Crisostomo Eguia Jr. and Vice Mayor Pacheto Eguia were charged in court in connection with purported anomalies in their public transactions.

The accused allegedly failed to liquidate the missing funds and could not provide legal papers and give justifiable reasons, which led to the filing of cases against him, Lee said.

Another suspect was arrested in a sting in Bgy. Hinapu Daku in Maasin City in Southern Leyte last Tuesday led to the confiscation of an unlicensed caliber .38 revolver with nine live ammunition and the buy-bust money topped by a marked P500 bill.

The suspect is now facing charges of violating RA (Republic Act) 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013.

The 3rd suspect, tagged as the no. 1 “most wanted person” (MWP) in Laoag City, was arrested last November 15 based on a warrant for attempted murder issued by Judge Nida Alejandro of the Laoag City RTC (Regional Trial Court) Branch 12.

The 4th, , a rape suspect tagged as the 3rd MWP in Cavite, was arrested on Nov. 15. Judge Flordeliz Fargas of the Trece Martires City RTC Br. 5 issued the warrant against the accused with no bail recommended.

Another, the 10th MWP in Cavite, was arrested for violation of RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013.

The 6th suspect was arrested for violation of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Judge Francisco Victor Collado of the Dasmariñas City RTC Br. 90 recommended no bail for the temporary liberty of the suspect. Members of the CIDG Regional Field Unit 4-A under Lt. Col. Joel Manuel A. Ana arrested the suspects.

Lee said that eight other wanted persons were arrested by members of the CIDG RFU 3 under Col. Joshua Alejandro in separate operations this week in Pampanga province.

Three suspects were arrested on the strength of warrants for violation of RA 9287 or an act increasing the penalties for illegal number games issued by Judge Mary Anne Padron-Rivera of the San Fernando City RTC Br. 46.

Five other suspects were also arrested for a similar offense.

All were required to pay a P30,000 bail each by the court.