THE long arm of the law finally caught up with the leader of a gun-for-hire criminal group, considered the top “most wanted person” in Region 6 (Western Visayas), during a police operation Thursday afternoon in Makati City.

Southern Police District (SPD) Director P/BGen. Kirby John Kraft said the arrested wanted person with the alias “Pedoy,” 31, the alleged leader of “Bagatnan Gun-for-Hire Criminal Gang” and Region 6’s top MWP.

The suspect was captured during a police operation conducted by joint operatives of Makati City Police, Estancia, Iloilo, Municipal Police Station (MPS) and other units of Iloilo Provincial Police Office (PPO) at around 12:09 p.m. in Barangay Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City.

Report reaching the office of National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director P/MGen. Edgar Alan Okubo showed that the arrest of the MWP was conducted by virtue of two warrants of arrest issued by Judge Oscar Sancho Billena of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Sixth Judicial Region Branch 66 and Branch 70, Barotac Viejo, Iloilo dated June 8, 2022 and May 12, 2022, for the crime of murder with no recommended bail.

Kraft said the police operation was part of their ongoing efforts under case operation plan (COPLAN) “SOUTH,” targeting high-value criminals and dismantling organized crime networks.

“Today’s arrest sends a strong message to criminal elements that the Southern Police District under the leadership of P/BGen. Kirby John Kraft and its partner agencies are united in our efforts to bring them to justice,” stated Okubo.

“We will not tolerate violence and organized crime in our communities, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of the public,” he ended.

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Edd Reyes