By Jennifer P. Rendon
Two of the most wanted persons in the town of Barotac Viejo, Iloilo were arrested in separate operations.
Police Captain Kenn Albert Lepsia, Barotac Viejo police chief, identified the suspects as Jose Tudillo, 50, of Barangay San Lucas, Barotac Viejo and Loremar Canopin, 38, of Purok 8, Sitio Lopez, Tongantongan, Valencia City, Bukidnon.
Tudillo, the town’s No. 1 most wanted person, was arrested 4:15 a.m. of May 20, 2020 at Sitio Pasil, Barangay Enclaro, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental.
Members of Binalbagan Police Station and the PNP Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG), in coordination with the Barotac Viejo Police Station, collared the suspect for a string of criminal charges.
These include two counts of rape by carnal knowledge docketed as Criminal Case No. 2008-4345 to 4346 and violation of Republic Act 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004) in CC No. 2008-4230.
A bench warrant issued by Judge Rogelio Amador of the 6th Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 66 in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo against Tudillo for violation of Presidential Decree (illegal possession of firearm) under CC No. 2008-2324.
No bail was recommended for his rape case while an P80,000 bail bond was recommended for his RA 9262 case.
Meanwhile, Canopin was arrested around 4:15 p.m. of May 19 at Purok-8, Sitio Lopez, Barangay Tongantongan.
Lepsia said they coordinated and provided information to Valencia City Police Station on the suspect’s whereabouts.
Members of Valencia Police Station, the PNP Regional Intelligence Division-10, and the Bukidnon 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company moved for the suspect’s arrest.
Ranked as the No. 4 most wanted person in Barotac Viejo, the suspect was charged for murder with the use of unlicensed firearm docketed under CC No. 2003-2216.
Judge Rogelio Amador also issued his arrest warrant on Sept. 30, 2003.
Lepsia said that the suspect settled in Bukidnon for several years thinking that he already skirted the 17-year-old charge.
Police Colonel Paul Kenneth Lucas, Iloilo police chief, said that limited mobility because of the COVID-19 pandemic won’t be a hindrance in running after wanted persons.
He said they have been receiving information on the whereabouts of other wanted persons of Iloilo.
