A man listed as the Top 4 Regional Most Wanted Person of Police Regional Office 11 and another individual facing a court warrant were arrested in separate law enforcement operations on Monday, 2 February, authorities said.

At around 11:00 a.m., operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Ilocos Norte Provincial Field Unit, serving as the lead unit, arrested Fritz Gultia y Tohoy, also known as “Encho,” 25, a native of Barangay Magtuod, Ma-a, Davao City, who was temporarily residing in Laoag City.

The arrest was carried out in Barangay Margaay, Vintar, through a joint operation involving CIDG Ilocos Norte PFU, the Vintar Municipal Police Station, and in coordination with PS16 Ma-a District of the Davao City Police Office.

Gultia was apprehended by virtue of a warrant of arrest for murder under Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code, issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 53 on 26 August 2025. The warrant carried a recommendation of no bail.

Police said the suspect is currently under the custody of the CIDG for documentation before being turned over to the court of origin.

In a separate operation at about 1:30 p.m. the same day, a tracker team from the 2nd Ilocos Norte Provincial Mobile Force Company, together with the Batac City Police Station and the Marcos Municipal Police Station, arrested Marie Grace Verzosa Magbual, 48, a resident of Batac City.

Magbual was arrested in Barangay Biningan, Batac City, by virtue of a warrant of arrest for failure to appear in court in connection with a case for violation of Batas Pambansa Blg. 22, or the Bouncing Checks Law. The warrant was issued by the Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 14 on 26 January 2026, with recommended bail set at P30,000.

Authorities said the suspect was informed of the nature of the accusation against her and was apprised of her constitutional rights following her arrest.