The Philippine National Police (PNP) has arrested a 64-year-old former rebel leader listed as a national-level most wanted individual, ending decades of flight from justice, PNP Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said Wednesday.

Nartatez said the suspect, a former commanding officer of the Special Operating Group of the dismantled Guerrilla Front 15 under Sub-Regional Committee 2 of the Southern Mindanao Regional Command, was arrested Monday afternoon in Davao Oriental.

According to the PNP chief, the arrest was the result of sustained manhunt operations carried out by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) under its flagship campaign, Oplan Pagtugis.

At around 3:25 p.m. on 26 January 2026, operatives of the CIDG Davao City Field Unit, as the lead unit, together with the Baganga Municipal Police Station and reinforced units from Police Regional Office 11 and partner field units, conducted a targeted manhunt in Barangay Lucod, Baganga, Davao Oriental.

The operation was carried out under PRE-OPS No. RFU11-012326-05609, with an approved CIDG plan of course of action dated 23 January 2026.

Police said the suspect was arrested by virtue of two warrants of arrest for murder under Criminal Case Nos. 1881 and 1995, both carrying no bail recommendations. The warrants were issued by the Executive Judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 3 in Nabunturan, Davao de Oro, on 28 August 1995.

Authorities said the suspect was listed among the Most Wanted Persons at the national level, with a P100,000 reward, as provided under existing Department of the Interior and Local Government memorandum circulars.

The arrest was documented using an Alternative Recording Device in compliance with Supreme Court Resolution A.M. No. 22-06-08-SC. The suspect was informed of the cause of his arrest and his constitutional rights, including those under the Anti-Torture Act of 2009, before being brought to the CIDG Davao de Oro Provincial Field Unit for booking and proper disposition.

Nartatez said the operation reflects the PNP’s Focused Agenda, particularly its emphasis on enhanced management of police operations to locate and arrest fugitives facing serious criminal charges.

“This operation proves that justice may take time, but it will not be denied. The law will eventually catch up with those who attempt to escape accountability,” Nartatez said.

“Walang puwang sa lipunan ang karahasan at krimen—patuloy nating hahabulin ang mga may sala, gaano man katagal,” he added.

“Removing high-value fugitives from our communities helps restore peace and reassures the public that the rule of law stands firm,” Nartatez said, noting in Filipino, “Ang ganitong tagumpay ay bunga ng malinaw na direksyon at tuloy-tuloy na pagpapatupad ng batas.”