A 23-year-old man listed as a national most-wanted fugitive was arrested in Laguna on a non-bailable carnapping charge, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported.
The suspect, a resident of Guinobatan, Albay, was apprehended in Barangay Sirang Lupa, Calamba City, Laguna. The joint operation was conducted by the Regional Highway Patrol Unit 5, Regional Headquarters Intelligence, Philippine Highway Patrol Team Albay, and the 1st Albay Provincial Mobile Force Company.
Law enforcers served an arrest warrant issued by Branch 4 of the Regional Trial Court, Fifth Judicial Region in Legazpi City. The suspect is facing charges for violating Republic Act No. 10883 or the New Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016, with no bail recommended.
According to the PNP, intelligence gathering and field tracking enabled operatives to locate the fugitive outside his home province. He remains in temporary police custody for processing before the court of origin is formally notified.
“This arrest demonstrates that police intelligence and field operations can close the distance between wanted persons and the justice system. We will keep strengthening our efforts to locate individuals with standing warrants and ensure that they face the charges filed against them,” said PNP Chief PGen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr.
“Hindi nagtatapos sa isang operasyon ang ating tungkulin. Paiigtingin natin ang pagtugis sa mga sangkot sa carnapping at ang pagpapatupad ng mga hakbang upang maiwasan ang ganitong krimen,” Nartatez added.
The PNP noted that the tracking operation aligns with its Focused Agenda, specifically under Enhanced Managing Police Operations to execute lawful court processes and apprehend wanted fugitives nationwide.