A top carnapping fugitive listed as one of the Most Wanted Persons at the national level by the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) was arrested during a joint manhunt operation in Davao Oriental on May 20, 2026.
PNP-HPG said the arrested suspect was listed as the Top 8 HPG Most Wanted Person nationwide for a carnapping case.
The operation was conducted at around 7:30 pm in San Isidro, Davao Oriental by personnel of the Davao Oriental Provincial Highway Patrol Team, the Regional Highway Patrol Unit 11 Tracker Team, and the San Isidro Municipal Police Station.
Authorities served a warrant of arrest against the suspect for violation of the Anti-Carnapping Law under Criminal Case No. 10229.
The warrant was issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 6 in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur on March 26, 2018, with recommended bail set at P180,000.
Following his arrest, the suspect was placed under the temporary protective custody of the San Isidro Municipal Police Station for documentation and proper disposition, pending the return of the warrant to the issuing court.
PNP-HPG director Brig. Gen. Rommel Batangan said the arrest reflects the unit’s sustained campaign against high-value targets involved in motor vehicle-related crimes.
“The PNP-HPG remains relentless in pursuing wanted persons involved in carnapping and will continue to intensify operations to ensure that fugitives are brought before the courts,” Batangan said.
The HPG urged the public to continue supporting law enforcement operations by reporting the whereabouts of wanted persons and suspicious activities related to motor vehicle crimes.