Missing Pagudpud woman found safe in Laoag; man arrested

A 26-year-old woman from Pagudpud who was the subject of a missing person alert has been found safe following an entrapment operation in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, while a 28-year-old man was arrested and is facing charges of serious illegal detention and violation of Republic Act No. 10591.

The woman, identified as Catherine Joy Domingo Ganno of Barangay Ligaya, Pagudpud, was reported missing after she failed to meet her father at a mall in San Nicolas on 22 June. Her disappearance prompted the Laoag City Police Station to issue a missing person alert and appeal to the public for information on her whereabouts.

The breakthrough came on 24 June after Catherine's father, Elmer Lorenzo Ganno, informed authorities that he had received a text message from his daughter asking him to withdraw the missing person report, saying she would be released by the person who had custody of her.

Police then coordinated with the father and carried out an entrapment operation at around 3:10 p.m. outside a convenience store in Barangay 10, San Jose, Laoag City, where the meeting had been arranged.

Authorities said the father contacted the suspect upon arriving at the location. After confirming where he was, the father approached a parked gray Toyota Vios where Catherine was inside with the suspect. Police moved in after receiving the pre-arranged signal and arrested the man, identified as Jade Ganiron Viloria, 28, a resident of Barangay Talugtog, Solsona.

A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of an airsoft pistol, a magazine for the airsoft pistol, 14 rounds of 9mm live ammunition, two magazines loaded with 5.56mm live ammunition, a bullet tray kit, personal belongings, and the Toyota Vios allegedly used during the incident.

The inventory of the recovered items was witnessed by barangay officials before the suspect underwent a medical examination and was taken to the Laoag City Police Station for documentation and the filing of appropriate charges.

Viloria is facing charges for serious illegal detention under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code and violation of Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.