07/08/2026
REGION 2’s NO. 3, NO. 7 MOST WANTED FOR R**E CASES COLLARED
The Philippine National Police (PNP), under the command of PNP Chief, Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., arrested the No. 3 and No. 7 Most Wanted Persons in Region 2 in separate operations conducted in Isabela on August 5, 2026, for Qualified R**e and two counts of Statutory R**e, respectively.
The No. 3 Regional Most Wanted Person, a 30-year-old Filipino male, was arrested in Barangay Minanga, Naguilian, Isabela by operatives of the CIDG Isabela Provincial Field Unit and the Naguilian Municipal Police Station. He was apprehended by virtue of a Warrant of Arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court, Second Judicial Region, Branch 18, City of Ilagan, Isabela, for Qualified R**e, with no bail recommended. The case arose from the complaint of a 16-year-old minor, who alleged that she had been repeatedly sexually abused by her stepfather from June 2025 to March 2026 and threatened to prevent her from disclosing the abuse. The incidents came to light after school officials noticed the victim’s condition and coordinated with the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office and the Women and Children Protection Desk.
Meanwhile, the No. 7 Most Wanted Person in Region 2, a 56-year-old Filipino male, was arrested in Barangay Tallag, Cabagan, Isabela by personnel of the Alicia Municipal Police Station with the assistance of other PNP units. He was served a Warrant of Arrest for two counts of Statutory R**e, likewise carrying no bail recommended. The investigation stemmed from a complaint filed by a 15-year-old victim, who disclosed that she had allegedly been sexually assaulted on two occasions in 2022 and threatened with harm if she reported the incidents to authorities.
“These arrests send a clear message that no wanted person can evade the law indefinitely. The PNP will relentlessly pursue offenders and ensure they are brought before the courts to answer for their crimes,” PGEN Nartatez said.
The successful operations underscore the PNP’s unwavering drive to protect women and children and hold offenders accountable. They likewise reflect the PNP Focused Agenda, a strategic framework for organizational transformation, particularly through its key priority on Enhanced Managing Police Operations, which strengthens law enforcement efforts against wanted persons and reinforces public safety.
PGEN Nartatez added, “Hindi kami titigil sa paghahanap sa mga taong nananamantala sa kababaihan at mga bata. Sisiguraduhin naming mananagot sila sa batas at mabibigyan ng hustisya ang bawat biktima.”
As the PNP intensifies its campaign against wanted persons and strengthens its efforts to protect women and children under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., it assures the public of “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman.”
(PNP-PIO)
