Rape, murder suspects arrested in Cordillera

CAMP BADO DANGWA, Benguet – A rape suspect who had been in hiding for more than 10 years and a murder suspect were finally arrested by the Police Regional Officer-Cordillera, it was reported Saturday here.

Chief Superintendent Eugene Martin, Cordillera police director, reported that first to fall in the manhunt operation launched jointly by the operatives of Sabangan municipal station, Mt. Province and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group was Wennie Aladino of Kadaclan, Barlig, Mt. Province. Aladino was charged with rape before the sala of Judge Joven Costales who in turn, issued a warrant for his arrest more than 10 years ago.

In the second operation, Martin said Pedro Comelet, 32 of Poblacion, Sabangan whom the police tagged as the No. 2 top most wanted person in the region was also collared by his men.

Martin said Comelet is facing charges of murder before the Regional Trial Court Branch 10, in La Trinidad.

“Letter of Instruction Manhunt Bravo is religiously being implemented by Cor­dillera police to deter crime. This is evidenced by the continuous operations conducted by PNP personnel through the intensified intelligence operations. Manhunt operations are conducted to make sure that crime offenders will be arrested and put behind bars. They are a menace to society and safety and peace is the prime goal of law enforcement,” said Martin.

In Abra, Martin said they have also arrested Jose Tan, 43 of Zone 3, Bangued, Abra for Estafa docketed as Criminal Case No. 2004-186 before the sala of Judge Corpuz Alzate, RTC Branch 2 in Bangued town. – Myds Supnad