The Philippine National Police arrested the No. 5 Regional Most Wanted Person of Police Regional Office 2 during a manhunt operation in the mountainous area of Barangay Bantinan, Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya.
The suspect, a 64-year-old Filipino man known only by the alias “Ped,” was wanted for four counts of Statutory Rape and one count of Statutory Acts of Lasciviousness involving a 12-year-old victim.
Police said the suspect is now in custody pending turnover to the issuing court.
The operation was led by the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Nueva Vizcaya Police Provincial Office, with support from other police, intelligence, and mobile units under PRO2.
Authorities arrested the suspect by virtue of a warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court, Second Judicial Region, Branch 37, Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya.
No bail was recommended for the four counts of Statutory Rape, while bail for the Statutory Acts of Lasciviousness charge was set at PHP 36,000.00.
Investigation showed that the charges stemmed from allegations that the suspect repeatedly sexually abused the minor in January and March 2026 in Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya.
Authorities also established that the victim and the suspect were neighbors. The incidents were reported after the child disclosed the alleged abuse to family members.