The Police Regional Office 5 (PRO 5), under the leadership of Police Brigadier General Nestor C. Babagay Jr., Regional Director, continues to intensify its law enforcement operations in alignment with the Focused Agenda through the Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO) program of Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., the Acting Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP). This sustained campaign underscores the Kasurog Cops’ strong commitment to upholding the rule of law in the Bicol Region and ensuring that fugitives are held accountable for their crimes.
During an operation conducted in the municipality of Rapu-Rapu, Albay, on the night of October 11, 2025, operatives successfully arrested one of the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s National Most Wanted Persons, identified by the aliases “Batista” and “Nonoy.”
The suspect, a 38-year-old fisherman and resident of Sitio Tuklas, Barangay Mabolo, Malolos City, Bulacan, and Barangay Sto. Niño, Bacon, Sorsogon City, is facing a charge of Murder under Criminal Case No. 57-18-M-2017, with no bail recommended. The warrant of arrest was issued by Hon. Gregorio S. Sampaga, Presiding Judge of RTC Branch 78, Malolos City, Bulacan, on February 6, 2019. As of this writing, the suspect is under the custody of the Albay Police Provincial Office for proper disposition and documentation.
The successful arrest was the result of a joint operation conducted by the Albay Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU), in coordination with the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 5 (RMFB 5), Provincial Intelligence Team-Albay (PIT-Albay), Regional Intelligence Unit 5 (RIU 5), Regional Intelligence Division 5 (RID 5), and the Rapu-Rapu Municipal Police Station.
PLtGen Nartatez emphasized that the arrest is a clear manifestation of the whole-of-government approach being implemented under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration.
He also assured the public that the PNP’s intensified operations nationwide will continue to ensure that all wanted criminals are captured and held accountable under the law, saying: “We are relentless in ensuring that fugitives who attempt to evade justice will be tracked down and arrested wherever they hide.”
