ORMOC CITY — A 58-year-old construction worker who had been wanted for rape for nearly 26 years was arrested by police in Rodriguez (Montalban), Rizal, on August 29, 2026.
Police identified the suspect as Diosdado Pajares, alias “Dade,” a married construction worker and resident of Northern Samar. He was apprehended at about 5 p.m. at Sitio Pag-Asa, Melix Road, Barangay San Rafael, Rodriguez, Rizal.
The arrest was carried out by personnel of the 2nd Northern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company (2nd NSPMFC), serving as the lead unit, in coordination with the Rodriguez Municipal Police Station (MPS), Northern Samar Provincial Intelligence Unit (NSPIU), Regional Special Operations Unit (RSOU), and Lapinig MPS.
Pajares was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest for rape under Republic Act No. 8353, also known as the Anti-Rape Law of 1997, dated November 7, 2000.
The warrant was issued by Judge Eustaquio Lagrimas, then presiding judge of the Municipal Circuit Trial Court of Gamay, Northern Samar, with recommended bail set at P60,000.
With the warrant issued nearly 26 years ago, Pajares had remained at large until his arrest on August 29.
Following his apprehension, he was brought to the Rodriguez MPS for proper disposition and further legal proceedings.
(ELVIE ROMAN ROA)
