Most wanted’ senior citizen nabbed for rape

CEBU, Philippines — A 69-year-old widower who was listed as a Top Most Wanted Person at the regional, provincial, and municipal levels was arrested by police during an operation in Barangay Eastern Poblacion, Poro, Cebu on June 16, 2026.

The suspect, a resident of Western Poblacion, Poro, was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court in Cities, 7th Judicial Region, Branch 92 in Danao City, Cebu for rape under Article 266-A of the Revised Penal Code. No bail was recommended for the case.

According to the Poro Municipal Police Station, the operation was carried out by police officers in coordination with the Regional Intelligence Division (RID)-7, Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU)-7, and Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) after receiving reliable information about the suspect’s whereabouts.

Police have not released further details about the rape case being faced by the suspect.

Authorities said the suspect had allegedly avoided arrest for a long time by frequently moving from one place to another, particularly in remote and mountainous areas, while limiting contact with relatives and other people in the community.

Through continuous surveillance and intelligence monitoring, police were able to confirm the suspect’s location in Eastern Poblacion, Poro, which eventually led to his arrest.

The suspect was then informed of the reason for his arrest and his constitutional rights under the Miranda Doctrine before being placed under police custody for proper documentation and other legal procedures.

Records showed that the suspect had previously been listed as a Top Most Wanted Person at the regional, provincial, and municipal levels.

The Cebu Police Provincial Office urged the public to continue providing information that may help authorities locate and arrest other wanted persons in the province. — /MRM (FREEMAN)