By Jennifer P. Rendon
Nine persons in police’s most wanted lists were arrested in a day in Western Visayas.
Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) collared the most persons with 4 while Iloilo PPO and Antique PPO nabbed two each and Capiz PPO with one on July 20, 2022.
The suspects are facing either frustrated murder, murder, illegal drugs, or rape charges.
In Negros Occidental, police operatives arrested Melecio Gaita, Romulo Labajo, Domingo Boloron, and Ian Kenno Destora.
Gaita, 41, a resident of Sitio Pinag-upakan, Barangay San Isidro, Toboso, Negros Occidental, is Toboso’s third most wanted person. He was arrested 5:15 p.m. of Wednesday at Barangay Bug-ang, Toboso for frustrated murder.
A P200,000 bail was recommended for Gaita’s temporary liberty.
The 62-year-old Labajo of Sitio Tunga, Barangay Patun-an, Calatrava, was collared at the San Carlos District Jail, San Carlos City.
Calatrava’s 7th most wanted person, Labajo was charged for two counts of rape with no bail recommended.
Just like Labajo, Boloron, 51, of Barangay Guimbal-on, Silay City, was also arrested at the Silay City District Jail Male Dormitory at Barangay Mambulac, Silay City.
Boloron, Silay City’s most wanted person, was accused of three counts of statutory rape and acts of lasciviousness.
Meanwhile, Destora, 25, of San Juan Bonifacio, Brgy. 5, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, was also arrested at Brgy. 5. He is the most wanted person of San Carlos City and ninth in the province.
Destora, who is also on the police drugs watchlist, is wanted for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).
Meanwhile, Antique PPO arrested Jeorge Rufino, 72, a resident of Barangay Carawisan I, San Remigio, Antique; and Rolly Apolinario, 40, of Barangay Ilaya, Bugasong, Antique.
Rufino, the most wanted person of San Remigio, is facing a murder charge.
Apolinario, the second most wanted person of Occidental Mindoro and most wanted in Calintaan town, is also wanted for murder.
In Iloilo, police and military personnel arrested Western Visayas’ most wanted person Joel Leyble of Barangay Toyungan, Calinog for rape.
Meanwhile, Jomel dela Cruz, 28, was arrested at his home at Barangay Tacbuyan, Estancia, Iloilo. Dela Cruz is the second most wanted person of Estancia and is wanted for murder.
Capiz police also arrested Rogel Ondaloc, 20, of Barangay Agustin Navara, Ivisan, Capiz. He is accused of frustrated murder.
Brigadier General Flynn Dongbo, Western Visayas police chief, said they would intensify their campaign against wanted persons.
“Kaya mabuti pang sumuko na sila because we would get them sooner or later,” he said.
