POLICE arrested on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, a dismissed cop who was a fugitive for 28 years.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr. said former Senior Police Officer 1 Joel Consuelo Villanueva was arrested by the elements of the PNP Intelligence Group in Cainta, Rizal by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by the Lucena City Regional Trial Court for murder.
Villanueva, who was dismissed from the service in 1995, was involved in the killing of an officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in 1991.
He was arrested in July 1995 but was able to escape the Lucena City Jail.
Villanueva was rearrested in 1996 but was able to escape again while undergoing medical examination at the Orthopedic Hospital.
The Philippine Government has put P275,000 on Villanueva’s head.
Acorda said Villanueva’s arrest is a clear manifestation of the PNP’s intensified efforts in their campaign against wanted persons, particularly those with monetary rewards attached to their capture.
“The PNP is dedicated to ensuring justice for the victims and their families, and this apprehension serves as a reminder that no one can escape the long arm of the law,” he said.
The top cop also announced the arrest of a high-ranking member of the communist terrorist group in an operation in Taguig City.
Acorda said the arrested individual, known by the aliases Yvonne, Sam, and Ayang, who held a prominent position within the Sub-Regional Military Area 4D (SRMA 4D), also known as Islacom Mindoro/Lucio De Guzman Command of the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee (STRPC), was arrested by PNP together with AFP and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) on September 18, 2023.
The suspect, Acorda added, had been a long-standing fugitive and was one of the national most wanted persons in the country, listed under the Joint Department of National Defense (DND) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum of Wanted Persons with a monetary reward of P280,000.
She has multiple serious charges, including multiple counts of murder, attempted murder, frustrated murder and theft.
“Her capture is expected to deal a significant blow to the CTG’s operations and disrupt their activities in the region,” said Acorda.
“The successful capture of this high-ranking CTG member is a testament to the unwavering determination and relentless pursuit of our law enforcement agencies to bring justice to the victims of CTG-related crimes. We will continue to work tirelessly to apprehend individuals who threaten the safety and security of our nation. This operation sends a clear message to all criminal elements that the Philippine National Police remains resolute in upholding the rule of law,” he added. (SunStar Philippines)