PRO4A nets most wanted suspect, foreign illegal recruiter in major operation

 PRO4A nets most wanted suspect, foreign illegal recruiter in major operation

By Roselle R. Aquino

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna — Police Regional Office CALABARZON (PRO4A) reported major accomplishments in its intensified campaign against crime, highlighted by the arrest of a regional Most Wanted Person and a foreign suspect involved in illegal recruitment.

During a press briefing held at Camp BGen Vicente P. Lim, PRO4A Regional Director Brig Gen Hansel Marantan presented the latest anti-criminality efforts of the CALABARZON police, attended by members of the media.

One of the key highlights was the arrest of a 23-year-old suspect known as alias “Eco,” an alleged member of a gun-for-hire group and listed as a Most Wanted Person in the region. 

He was apprehended on May 4, 2026, at around 12:15 p.m. in Barangay Anunas, Angeles City, Pampanga, through an intelligence-driven joint operation by multiple police units.

The suspect was arrested by virtue of a warrant for two counts of murder. 

Police investigation revealed that he was involved in a shooting incident on May 19, 2021, in Barangay Salawag, Dasmariñas City, Cavite, where two victims identified as “Ron” and “Chris” were fatally shot in the head.

Authorities also linked the suspect to a gun-for-hire and illegal drug group operating in various parts of Cavite, including Bacoor, General Trias, Imus, 

Trece Martires, and Dasmariñas. 

The group was reportedly involved in a series of shootings and in the distribution of illegal drugs such as marijuana, valium, and shabu.

In a separate operation conducted on May 2, 2026, at around 7:30 p.m. in Baguio City, police arrested a 37-year-old Pakistani national known as alias “Habibi,” for illegal recruitment committed by a syndicate.

The suspect, a businessman and resident of Pasay City, was arrested at 231 Kennon Road, Camp 7, by operatives of the Batangas Police Provincial Office in coordination with other law enforcement units. 

The arrest was made based on a warrant issued by a Pasay City court on April 30, 2026.

Marantan commended the operating units for the successful operations and reaffirmed PRO4A’s commitment to maintaining peace and order in the region. He also assured the families of victims that justice will be served, urging the public to continue cooperating with authorities by providing timely and relevant information.

“We assure our fellow citizens, especially the families of victims who continue to seek justice, that your police force remains relentless in pursuing those who evade the law,” Marantan said.