Notorious killer arrested after 28 years in hiding

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — After eluding authorities for 28 years, a notorious fugitive wanted for the killing of two policemen and a security guard was finally arrested Monday in Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija.

Brig. Gen. Rogelio Peñones, Central Luzon police director, said the arrest of Fernando Umali, alias “Pandong” and “Ed,” ended nearly three decades of evasion.

Umali was reportedly part of the Atacador Group, a gun-for-hire and robbery syndicate that once operated across Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Cavite, and Nueva Vizcaya.

According to Peñones, Umali was implicated in the killing of PO1 Ronald Diamat and the wounding of SPO2 Samuel Bulan during an encounter in 2000. He was also a suspect in the killing of a security guard in Cabanatuan City in the late 1990s.

Authorities apprehended Umali on 26 October 2025 in Barangay Mapalad, Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija. Peñones credited the capture to the coordination and precision of the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) intelligence operatives.

Under the leadership of PRO3 Director Brig. Gen. Rogelio “Pojie” Peñones Jr., the region’s intelligence network has adopted modern, data-driven systems through the Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO) program of Philippine National Police Acting Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio “Tateng” Nartatez Jr.

The Regional Special Operations Group under Lt. Col. Leonardo Madrid, in coordination with the Santa Rosa Municipal Police Station, Nueva Ecija Provincial Police Office, and the 302nd and 303rd Maneuver Companies of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 3, conducted the operation under the supervision of Col. Jay Baybayan of the Regional Intelligence Division.

Just days earlier, on 22 October, the Bulacan Provincial Intelligence Unit, together with the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company and the Navotas Police, arrested “Lupin,” the suspect in the ambush-slay of Bulacan ABC President Ramil Capistrano and his driver, Shedrick Toribio.

According to PRO3 Information Officer Lt. Col. Dexter Versola, these operations demonstrate the unwavering commitment of every police officer in Central Luzon to uphold the rule of law.

“These successes are products of sustained intelligence work and strong collaboration between our units,” he said.

Peñones added that such arrests reflect teamwork, intelligence, and the unwavering pursuit of justice. “When leadership, intelligence, and dedication move as one, no criminal can ever hide,” he said.