A 43-year-old man listed as a most wanted person and an alleged member of the Commando Gang was arrested in Pasay City on July 10, nearly nine years after he allegedly went into hiding to evade prosecution in a rape with homicide case.

The arrest was carried out by operatives of the Pasay City Police Station through sustained intelligence and manhunt operations led by personnel of Sub-Station 6.

The suspect was apprehended along Apelo Cruz Extension in Barangay 174, Pasay City, by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court of Iloilo City on Dec. 13, 2017, for rape with homicide. The court recommended no bail due to the gravity of the offense.

Following his arrest, the suspect was taken to the Warrant and Subpoena Section of the Pasay City Police Station for documentation before being turned over to the court of origin for the proper disposition of the case.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the successful operation demonstrates the PNP's commitment to ensuring that fugitives are brought to justice regardless of how long they evade arrest.

"Justice does not expire. The PNP will relentlessly pursue fugitives and ensure that those accused of heinous crimes are brought before the courts to answer for their actions," Nartatez said.

"Hindi hadlang ang tagal ng pagtatago para makaiwas sa batas. Hahanapin at aarestuhin namin ang bawat pugante hanggang sa maiharap sila sa hukuman," he added.

The PNP said the arrest reflects its Focused Agenda, which strengthens intelligence and manhunt operations against wanted persons under its Enhanced Managing Police Operations program.

The police force also reiterated its commitment to intensifying its campaign against fugitives and other criminals in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and its thrust of "Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman."