THREE most wanted persons facing rape and murder charges were arrested in separate anti-criminality operations in Eastern Visayas provinces Tuesday, August 3, 2021.

Felipe Barros, 78, who has been listed as number 1 most wanted person (provincial level), was arrested in Oras, Eastern Samar.

He had a warrant for rape dated August 7, 2006, with no bail recommended, according to the order of presiding Judge Juliana White of Regional Trial Court (RTC)-Branch 5 in Oras.

In Talalora, Samar, operatives arrested the number 6 most wanted person (provincial level).

The accused, Michael Perol, 42, was facing a warrant dated May 23, 2015, for murder.

Lauro A. P. Castillo. Jr., presiding judge of RTC-Branch 36 in Carigara, Leyte, did not recommend bail to the accused.

Another accused, Melvin Barreda Esmerio, 36, was arrested in San Roque, Northern Samar.

The number 3 most wanted person (provincial level) had a warrant dated May 30, 2018, for rape.

Judge Alma Consuelo Desales-Esidera, of RTC-Branch 20 in Catarman, did not recommend bail to Esmerio.

All the accused were brought to respective police stations prior to turnover to their courts of origin. (SunStar Philippines)