By Jennifer P. Rendon
One of the most wanted persons in Batangas was arrested morning of June 17, 2020 in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo.
Police collared Valentin Zara, 29, a resident of Brgy. Sto. Domingo, Batangas City, Batangas but temporarily residing in Purok IV, Barangay Inangayan, Santa Barbara.
The Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU)-National Capital Region (NCR)–Southern, Police Regional Office (PRO)-6, RIU-6, and Santa Barbara Municipal Police Station nabbed the suspect at his residence 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Zara was the subject of an arrest warrant for rape in Criminal Case No. 2010-198-199.
Judge Noel Lindog of the Regional Trial Court Branch 87 in Rosario, Batangas issued the warrant on Sept. 29, 2010.
Judge Albert Kalalo of RTC Batangas City, Batangas, also issued an alias warrant of arrest against Zara for homicide on Jan. 24, 2012.
It took a while for operatives to arrest the suspect as he changed his name.
Based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, Zara adopted the name Arnel Perez Alegrea on Nov. 25, 2015. By doing this, he was able to evade authorities.
Zara is now detained at the lock-up cell of Sta. Barbara Police Station.
Meanwhile, Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, Western Visayas police chief, lauded the accomplishments of the operating units.
“We will double our efforts in neutralizing all most wanted persons in Western Visayas amidst this pandemic,” Pamuspusan said.
From March 17 to June 12, 2020, PRO-6 reported that 34 most wanted persons and 267 other wanted persons were arrested.
