The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday reported the arrest of an alleged gun-for-hire leader and one of the most wanted fugitives in MIMAROPA (Region 4B) during an intelligence-driven operation in Roxas, Oriental Mindoro.

The suspect was identified as Noel Pedro Manuel, alias “Tawi,” a former member of the Philippine Army Special Forces who was tagged by authorities as a gun-for-hire leader operating in Oriental Mindoro and Batangas.

PNP Chief P/Gen. Nicolas Torre III said the arrest marked a significant step in the PNP’s campaign against violent offenders and organized criminal groups, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the guidance of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla to intensify the campaign against wanted persons.

“This is a major accomplishment because we removed a high-value fugitive who was involved in gun-for-hire activities in Oriental Mindoro and Batangas,” Torre said.

The suspect was arrested at about 1:55 p.m. on July 2 in Sitio Upper Odiong, Barangay Odiong, Roxas, through an intelligence-driven operation led by the PNP Intelligence Group and the Regional Intelligence Unit of the Police Regional Office-MIMAROPA (PRO-4B).

Police served four warrants of arrest against Manuel for murder and frustrated murder, all carrying no recommended bail.

The suspect was listed as the No. 3 Most Wanted Person in PRO-4B, the No. 1 Most Wanted Person of the Oriental Mindoro Police Provincial Office, and the No. 1 Most Wanted Person of the Roxas Municipal Police Station.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government had offered a P375,000 reward for his arrest under Memorandum Circular No. 2025-078.

“We expect this to weaken the operations of his group and generate leads on other personalities. The PNP will continue intelligence-driven operations to dismantle criminal networks and bring all wanted persons to justice,” Torre said.

Authorities recovered a caliber .45 pistol, two magazines, and 16 rounds of live ammunition during the operation.

Torre said the arrest should serve as a reminder that no fugitive can evade the law indefinitely.

“I have directed all police commanders to intensify intelligence gathering and strengthen coordination with other law enforcement and intelligence agencies to locate and arrest remaining high-value fugitives. Local units must sustain focused operations against gun-for-hire groups, armed criminals, and other wanted persons while ensuring that all police actions are lawful, intelligence-based, and respectful of human rights,” he added.

The suspect was brought to the nearest police station for documentation and proper disposition.

Authorities said the investigation is ongoing to determine possible links to other criminal activities and identify individuals who may have assisted Manuel while he was evading arrest.