Batangas cops bag 2 most wanted persons

CAMP GEN. VICENTE LIM, Calamba City — Authorities have arrested two most wanted persons (MWPs) during operations in Tanauan City and Agoncillo town, both in Batangas province on Sunday.

Batangas Police Provincial Director, Senior Supt. Edwin Quilates, identified the MWPs as Nonelon dela Rosa Vegara, 51 of Tanauan City; and Charlie Rafael Tolentino Villanueva, 40, of Barangay Pansipit in Agoncillo town.

In his report on Monday to Calabarzon Police Regional Director Chief Supt. Edward Carranza, Quilates said the operation that led to the arrest of Vergara, tagged as among the most wanted in the police’s “Lambat Sibat” and Top 5 in “Manhunt Charlie”, was conducted by Tanauan City cops, led by Supt. Renato Mercado, around 8:40 a.m. Sunday in Barangay Darasa, Tanauan City.

He said Vergara’s arrest was backed by arrest warrants issued by Presiding Judge Vicente Landicho of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 12 of Lipa City for large-scale illegal recruitment; and for estafa issued by Judge Arcadio Manigbas of the RTC Branch 6 of Tanauan City.

Police said Vergara slipped past Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) guards and bolted from the Manila City Jail on February 2004 after a court hearing at the RTC Branch 12 of Lipa City.

On the other hand, joint operatives of the Agoncillo police and the 3rd District Batangas Provincial Intelligence Branch arrested Villanueva.

Local police operatives said Villanueva was tagged as Top 2 in “Lambat Sibat”, Phase 4 and Top 5 under “Manhunt Charlie.”

Villanueva was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest for attempted murder issued by Judge Mary Jane Valeza-Maranan of the RTC Branch 5 of Lemery, Batangas dated May 3, 2018. (Jojo C. Magsombol/PNA)

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