MANILA, Philippines — A fugitive facing dozens of murder charges was arrested in a pre-dawn operation in General Santos City, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.
The suspect, a 45-year-old man listed among the country’s National Most Wanted Persons, carried a P250,000 reward under the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s bounty system. He was arrested at around 12:40 a.m. on April 25 in Barangay Apopong through a joint operation by local police and intelligence units acting on a verified tip.
Authorities said the suspect faces 56 counts of murder, along with another separate murder case, all filed before a Quezon City court. The charges are non-bailable.
Police said the suspect was informed of his constitutional rights in a language he understood. Standard procedures were observed, including documentation of the arrest and a medical examination before his transfer to a custodial facility.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. commended the operating teams, attributing the arrest to sustained intelligence-driven operations targeting high-value fugitives.
“This reflects the kind of focused police work we are pursuing. We will continue to track down individuals facing serious criminal charges,” he said.
The PNP said the operation is part of its broader strategy to strengthen coordination and precision in law enforcement, in line with its operational priorities. It added that efforts will remain relentless while upholding due process and respect for rights.
The arrest is seen as a boost to the government’s ongoing campaign against criminality and efforts to strengthen public safety nationwide.