A four-year run from justice ended one morning this week for one of the country’s most wanted fugitives.
Police apprehended a 42-year-old man, identified only as “Den,” who had been hiding from authorities since allegedly sexually abusing his minor stepdaughter in 2020.
The arrest took place at approximately 9:40am on April 22 in Brgy. Mapolopolo, Basista in Pangasinan. A coordinated manhunt led by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Pangasinan Provincial Field Unit, alongside the Dagupan City and Basista police, successfully tracked the suspect to his hideout.
The suspect was arrested under warrants issued on April 5, 2022, by a Dagupan City court for charges of Statutory Rape and Acts of Lasciviousness in violation of Republic Act 7610, also known as the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.
According to CIDG Director Police Major Gen. Robert Morico II, the suspect was classified as a National Most Wanted Person, with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) placing a P135,000 reward for his capture.
The case stems from an incident on October 4, 2020, where investigators allege that the suspect raped and sexually abused his then nine-year-old stepdaughter at their family residence in Dagupan City.
Following the incident, the suspect escaped and managed to evade authorities for several years before this week’s breakthrough.
This operation was part of Oplan Pagtugis, an intensified manhunt campaign backed by Philippine National Police Chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. The CIDG stated that the arrest underscores their commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of society and brings the young victim one step closer to justice.
The CIDG Regional Field Unit 1, led by Police Lt. Col. Gene Licud and Police Lt. Col. Joseph Dela Cruz, received formal commendations for their persistence, with officials reiterating that the unit remains dauntless in its mission to track down high-profile criminals across the country.