Photo courtesy of PNP
A man identified by police as Eastern Visayas’ No. 1 most wanted person was captured in Surigao del Sur after authorities traced him hundreds of kilometers from his home province of Leyte.
Police arrested the 53-year-old suspect, known by the alias “Asiong,” in Barangay Banahao, Lianga, on Sept. 3. He was described as a farmer from Albuera, Leyte.
His arrest stemmed from warrants issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 14 in Baybay City for four separate charges, including three counts of qualified rape by sexual assault and one count of qualified rape.
Court records cited by police showed that the three sexual assault charges carried recommended bail totaling Php 600,000. No bail was recommended for the qualified rape charge.
The operation brought together personnel from the Leyte Provincial Mobile Force Company and police units in Lianga and Albuera, along with regional intelligence and Anti-Kidnapping Group personnel based in the Visayas.
Authorities did not disclose how long the suspect had been wanted or provide details about the circumstances surrounding the alleged offenses. The PNP said he was taken to the Lianga Municipal Police Station after his arrest for the required procedures.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said police would continue pursuing people with outstanding warrants, particularly those facing serious criminal accusations, while observing legal procedures and constitutional safeguards.
The arrest warrant allows authorities to bring the suspect before the court but does not establish his guilt. He remains presumed innocent unless the prosecution proves the charges beyond reasonable doubt.