City of Sto. Tomas Mayor Arth Jhun Aguilar Marasigan on Thursday lauded local police for the arrest of the 7th most wanted criminal in Batangas.

In an intensified joint manhunt operation, the city police together with the First Battalion Provincial Mobile Force Company (1st BPMFC) handcuffed Alyas “Sir Red,” an alleged child sexual predator with a pending warrant of arrest before the Sto. Tomas Municipal Trial Court.

The suspect, a 67-year-old widower and native of Pandacan, Manila, allegedly took advantage of and molested a minor mentee several times in his co-owned property in Barangay San Vicente, this city.

Alyas “Sir Red,” a search and rescue instructor and dog trainer, was collared based on a warrant of arrest issued by City Prosecutor Jonathan M. Aldovino.

According to the report, the suspect instructed his mentees to hide as part of a training program, where he then executed his “evil desire” of abusing his target.

Alyas “Sir Red” is facing three counts of Lascivious Conduct under Section 5(b) of Republic Act No. 7610 and a rape case through sexual assault under paragraph 2 of Article 266-A of the Revised Penal Code as amended, in relation to Republic Act No. 7610.

In his statement, Mayor Marasigan expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the combined efforts of the local police and 1st BPMFC for the immediate arrest of the suspect, saying that if the warrant had not been timely served, more victims could have been harmed.

“The city government at no time tolerates any criminal act against anyone especially women and children. We ensure that law and order are significantly enjoyed by our people any time of the day,” the mayor added.

A lawyer himself, Mayor Marasigan condemned all wrongdoings and encouraged Tomasinos to report abuses whether personally experienced or witnessed, to stop unlawful acts against any person and punish those involved.

P/Lt. Col. Marlon C. Cabataῆa, Acting Chief of Police, on his part said that the National Police (PNP) campaign against criminality will be strictly enforced and intensified to ensure that no one will be compromised when public safety is concerned.