Six wanted rape suspects arrested in Eastern Visayas during Undas

PALO, Leyte — Police arrested six individuals wanted for rape and related sexual offenses during separate manhunt operations across Eastern Visayas on 1 and 2 November 2026.

The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) said the suspects were among the region's most wanted individuals, with several facing multiple charges involving minors.

On 2 November, police arrested alias "Jose," 38, the region's No. 1 most wanted person, in Barangay Gahoy, Guiuan, Eastern Samar. He faces warrants for two counts of rape by sexual intercourse and rape through sexual assault, with no bail recommended.

Also arrested that day was alias "Tino," 45, Leyte's top provincial most wanted person, in Barangay East Visoria, Carigara. He faces two counts of qualified rape of a minor and one count of rape through sexual assault.

On 1 November, police arrested alias "Macky," 33, the region's No. 2 most wanted person, in Palo, Leyte. He faces warrants for two counts of qualified rape of a minor, one count of qualified rape and five counts of qualified sexual assault.

Authorities also apprehended alias "Chito," 26, of Maasin City, Southern Leyte, who ranked fourth on the regional most wanted list. He was arrested in Laguna on warrants for statutory rape and statutory sexual assault.

In Northern Samar, police arrested alias "Junjun," 26, the region's eighth most wanted person, in Bobon on two counts of statutory rape.

Meanwhile, alias "Adel," 66, a farmer ranked sixth on the regional most wanted list, was arrested in Can-avid, Eastern Samar, on a warrant for qualified rape.

PRO-8 Director Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño said police would sustain operations targeting individuals facing serious criminal charges.

“We will continue to intensify our manhunt operations and strengthen our intelligence-driven efforts to ensure that wanted persons are brought before the courts to answer for the charges against them. No one is beyond the reach of the law,” Cardiño said.