San Miguel residents queueing to receive cash assistance from the government last week in the población never knew that also in the line was a fugitive from justice in the CALABARZON region who was spotted and subsequently arrested by police authorities.
A joint operation led by the San Miguel Municipal Police Station, together with the Tagaytay City Component Police Station under the leadership of acting chief of police PLt. Col. Ryan L. Manongdo and the Cavite Police Provincial Office, the Catanduanes Police Intelligence Unit and the Criminal Investigation Detection Group (CIDG) Catanduanes Provincial Field Unit, apprehended the man, identified only as “Mon,” in barangay District 3 at around 1:30 PM of Dec. 20, 2025.
Included in the Regional Most Wanted Person list of the Police Regional Office IV-A, the 44-year-old farmer is wanted for murder in connection with Criminal Case No. TG-25-821 filed before the sale of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 18 Assisting Judge Minnelli S. Rocio-Carvajal for violation of Article 238 of the Revised Penal Code, with no bail recommended for his temporary liberty during trial.
According to the San Miguel MPS, the accused’s arrest was made possible due to vital intelligence secured by the unit, which collared him while waiting to receive cash assistance during the payout in the barangay.
He was placed in custody of the local police for documentation and proper disposition prior to being presented to the Tagaytay City RTC to face the charge filed against him.
Catanduanes Police Provincial Director PCol. Elmer R. Cereno said that the successful arrest of the MWP is proof of the effective coordination among different police units in the country and the dedication of the Philippine National Police to bring fugitives to justice.
In a similar vein, Cavite PNP Acting Provincial Director PCol. Ariel R. Red emphasized that the successful operation reflects the true value of unity, coordination, and perseverance among police units, sending a clear message that justice is patient but relentless and that no individual is beyond the reach of the law.
He reaffirmed the Cavite Police’s unwavering commitment to pursue all wanted persons with integrity, professionalism, and strict adherence to due process, while continuously serving and protecting the public and upholding peace, order, and the rule of law in the community.
No specific details about the murder incident were disclosed by the twin reports but the San Miguel police quoted reports that the suspect worked as a security guard in Tagaytay City and is the prime suspect in the shooting of a lawyer that arose from a dispute over the land where the security guard was detailed.
A reliable source who requested anonymity identified the suspect as one Ramon Tapado Santillan, also known as Ryan Santillan, 44, and an abaca farmer from Purok 3, sitio Caglatawan, barangay Juan M. Alberto, San Miguel, also known as Tucao.
An online search, however, turned up the same name in the news reports about the Sept. 1, 2024 killing of two police officers and a lawyer in a shootout over a land dispute in barangay Maitim, Tagaytay City.
Capt. Adrian Binalay of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-National Capital Region and his colleague, Capt. Tomas Batarao Jr, of the CALABARZON police’s Holding and Accounting Section, as well as lawyer Denis Santos died at the scene of the shooting that occurred inside Prime Peak Subdivision at around 2 p.m.
Responding police officers arrested Elver Mabuti and retired sheriff Benedicto Hebron at the Tagaytay Medical Center following the incident.
Reports said Binalay and Batarao went to the area to inquire about a property in the subdivision that was reportedly being offered for sale but security guard Ryan Santillan prevented them from entering the subdivision.
The officers reportedly ignored Santillan and entered the premises, at which Santos arrived in a car and allegedly shot Binalay and Batarao, triggering a firefight that resulted in their deaths.
The reports did not state the exact role Santillan played in the fatal shooting.