Nearly two decades after going into hiding to evade sexual abuse charges, a man who became Virac’s No. 1 Most Wanted Person was finally apprehended last week in San Isidro Village.
The fugitive, who was not identified in the report in compliance with the Data Privacy Act, was arrested by joint elements of the Virac police station and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Catanduanes provincial field unit last Sept. 22, 2025 at 1 PM under the supervision of police chief Maj. Kenneth Ding Gutierrez.
The 56-year-old suspect has been charged with two separate crimes: violation of Republic Act No. 8353 (Anti-Rape Law of 1997), under Criminal Case No. 3755, with no bail recommended, and violation of RA 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act), under Criminal Case No. 3756, with bail set at P80,000.
Both arrest warrants were issued on Dec. 4, 2007 by then Regional Trial Court Branch 42 Presiding Judge Genie G. Gapas-Agbada.
The manhunt operation was carried out in line with the directive of Catanduanes PNP provincial director Col. Elmer R. Cereno to prioritize the apprehension of wanted persons, particularly those involved in rape cases.
At present, CATPPO’s records show 76 persons wanted by the courts in relation to rape cases, making it the highest number among the eight focus crimes in the province.
“Our police force is committed to prioritizing the arrest of wanted persons,” said PD Cereno. “This operation is part of our dedicated effort to bring justice to all victims of these heinous crimes. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that fugitives are brought to justice and that our communities are safe.”