By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz – A “most wanted” drug personality who is also involved in gun-for-hire activities in the province of Nueva Ecija was arrested by police here Thursday morning at Brgy. Lawaan.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG-Capiz) led by Police Major Chris Arthemius Devaras collared Ariel Jose Maniquiz in a junkshop for a murder case filed against him.
The Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 36 in Gapan City, Nueva Ecija issued the arrest warrant.
Devaras said they received information that Maniquiz was hiding in Lawaan. They later confirmed his identity with information from Nueva Ecija.
Police also recovered from the suspect a .38-caliber revolver with three live ammunitions.
The suspect will be facing additional charges for illegal possession of firearms.
Devaras said that according to San Leonardo Municipal Police Station in Nueva Ecija, Maniquiz is listed as one of the drug personalities in the province and is involved in a series of killings.
He said the suspect was also involved in other crimes and was jailed before in Cabanatuan City.
Meanwhile, two wanted persons facing charges for robbery and attempted murder were also apprehended by police in separate operations Thursday in Mambusao and Panay towns.
The Mambusao Municipal Police Station collared Genamie Lopez, 46, of Barangay Balit, Mambusao but temporarily residing at Veterans Village, Fort San Pedro, Iloilo City.
Iloilo Regional Trial Court Judge Marie Yvette Go issued the arrest warrant on October 4, 2016.
On the other hand, police in Roxas City, Panay town and Capiz Police Provincial Office arrested Antonio Abuyot Jr., 29, at his house in Barangay Poblacion Ilaya, Panay.
He is facing an attempted murder case.
