The Philippine National Police arrested an alleged gun-for-hire leader and one of the most wanted fugitives in MIMAROPA during an intelligence-led operation in Roxas, Oriental Mindoro.
Police identified the suspect as Noel Pedro Manuel, alias “Tawi,” a former member of the Philippine Army Special Forces. Authorities tagged him as a gun-for-hire leader operating in Oriental Mindoro and Batangas.
PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said the arrest marked a significant development in the police campaign against violent offenders and organized criminal groups.
He said the operation was in line with the directive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr., through the guidance of DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla, to intensify the campaign against wanted persons.
“This is a major accomplishment because we removed a high-value fugitive who was involved in gun-for-hire activities in Oriental Mindoro and Batangas,” he said.
Manuel was arrested at about 1:55 p.m. on July 2 in Sitio Upper Odiong, Barangay Odiong, Roxas, through an intelligence-driven operation led by the PNP Intelligence Group and the Regional Intelligence Unit of Police Regional Office MIMAROPA.
Police served four warrants of arrest against Manuel for murder and attempted murder. All warrants carried no recommended bail.
The suspect was listed as the No. 3 Most Wanted Person of PRO 4B, the No. 1 Most Wanted Person of the Oriental Mindoro Police Provincial Office, and the No. 1 Most Wanted Person of the Roxas Municipal Police Station.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government had placed a P375,000 reward for his arrest under Memorandum Circular No. 2025-078.
“We expect this to weaken the operations of his group and generate leads on other personalities. The PNP will continue intelligence-driven operations to dismantle criminal networks and bring all wanted persons to justice,” Nartatez said.
Authorities recovered a caliber .45 pistol, two magazines, and 16 rounds of live ammunition during the operation.
Nartatez said the arrest should remind fugitives that they cannot evade the law indefinitely.
“I have directed all police commanders to intensify intelligence gathering and strengthen coordination with other law enforcement and intelligence agencies to locate and arrest remaining high-value fugitives. Local units must sustain focused operations against gun-for-hire groups, armed criminals, and other wanted persons while ensuring that all police actions are lawful, intelligence-based, and respectful of human rights,” he added.
The suspect was brought to the nearest police station for documentation and proper disposition.
Police said the investigation is ongoing to determine Manuel’s possible links to other criminal activities and identify other individuals who may have helped him while he was evading arrest.