The Philippine National Police–Highway Patrol Group arrested Police Regional Office 9’s Top 10 regional most wanted person for alleged violation of Republic Act No. 10883, or the New Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016, during an intelligence-driven operation in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Personnel of the Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Highway Patrol Team, under the Regional Highway Patrol Unit 9, arrested the suspect in Barangay Sanito on July 2, 2026.
Police said the arrest was based on a warrant issued by Presiding Judge Joel Gonzaga Vercide of the Regional Trial Court Branch 23 in Molave, Zamboanga del Sur, on June 11, 2026.
The warrant was issued under Criminal Case No. 2025-10-5441 for violation of the New Anti-Carnapping Act, with bail recommended at ₱300,000 for the suspect’s temporary liberty.
The accused was informed of his constitutional rights in a language known and understood by him before he was brought to the Provincial Highway Patrol Team-Zamboanga del Sur for proper documentation and disposition.
PNP-HPG Director Police Brigadier General Rommel S. Batangan commended the operating personnel for the successful operation, citing the group’s continued campaign against wanted persons involved in carnapping and other serious offenses.
“The arrest of one of the region’s most wanted persons demonstrates the effectiveness of intelligence-driven policing and strong inter-agency coordination. The Highway Patrol Group remains relentless in locating and arresting individuals who seek to evade justice, particularly those involved in carnapping and other serious crimes. We will continue to intensify our operations to ensure that offenders are held accountable under the law.”
The PNP-HPG said the operation forms part of the continuing campaign under the “Bagong PNP” to deliver fast, honest, and felt public service.