TACLOBAN CITY — A 33-year-old man tagged as the No. 1 most wanted person in Eastern Visayas was arrested in Pasig City on June 8, 2026, for multiple counts of statutory rape.
Police identified the suspect as a carpenter and resident of Catarman, Northern Samar. He was arrested in Barangay San Miguel, Pasig City through the implementation of warrants issued by the Regional Trial Court in Catarman.
Authorities said the suspect is facing five counts of statutory rape, with no bail recommended by the court.
The arrest was carried out by personnel of the Northern Samar Police Provincial Office through the Lope de Vega Municipal Police Station, in coordination with the 1st Northern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company, Provincial Intelligence Unit, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group–Northern Samar Provincial Field Unit, Pasig City Police Office, and the Regional Special Operations Unit 8.
After his arrest, the suspect was brought to the Pasig City Police Office for documentation before being turned over to the court of origin in Northern Samar.
Police have not disclosed further details of the cases, citing ongoing legal proceedings, but urged the public to report individuals with outstanding warrants to authorities.
(TROY ABARRATIGUE, LNU STUDENT INTERN)
