By Chris V. Panganiban
Inquirer Mindanao
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — Two high-profile fugitives—including the Davao region’s most wanted person and an alleged communist guerrilla medic—were arrested in separate manhunt operations across the Caraga region on Wednesday, Oct. 1 but report was posted on Saturday at the Police Regional Office 13 (PRO-13) page, police said.
Brig. Gen. Rolindo M. Suguilon, Chief of PRO-13, said Thursday that operatives tracked down a 41-year-old murder suspect identified only by the alias “Jess” in Barangay Bayugan 3, Rosario town, Agusan del Sur.
Jess, a resident of Magdum, Tagum City in Davao del Norte, is listed as the No. 1 most wanted person in Region 11 (Davao Region).
He was apprehended by joint operatives from the 2nd Agusan del Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), Rosario Municipal Police, and Tagum City Police by virtue of a warrant for murder issued on May 20, 2022, by Branch 1 of the Tagum City Regional Trial Court (RTC). The court recommended no bail.
In a separate operation in Surigao del Sur, joint police and military elements captured an alleged communist insurgent identified as alias “Asyan,” 27, in Barobo town.
Police identified Asyan as the No. 5 most wanted person in the Caraga region and an alleged medical officer of the New People’s Army’s Sub-Regional Sentro de Grabidad Southland, under the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee.
Asyan, a resident of Barangay Anahao Daan in Tago town, was arrested on multiple warrants issued by RTC Branch 28 in Lianga, Surigao del Sur. These include a non-bailable murder charge filed in June 2025, along with four counts of attempted murder with court-recommended bails of P120,000 each.
The operation was conducted by the Barobo Municipal Police, the Philippine Army, the 1st Surigao del Sur PMFC, and the provincial intelligence unit.
Suguilon vowed no letup in the regional police force’s campaign against high-profile offenders.
“Our campaign against criminality in the region will continue to intensify to ensure the safety and security of our communities,” Suguilon said, while urging the public to continue providing tips on the presence of wanted personalities in their areas.
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