By CESAR JOLITO III

Two most wanted persons in Negros Island Region (NIR) were arrested in separate police operations in Dumaguete City and Siquijor on April 7 and 8, respectively, as authorities intensified their campaign against fugitives in Central Visayas.

The NIR Police Regional Office confirmed the arrests of the Rank 8 and Rank 9 most wanted persons in back-to-back manhunt operations, underscoring its continuing push to bring high-profile offenders to justice.

The No. 8 suspect, identified only as alias “Tong,” was apprehended in Dumaguete’s Barangay Poblacion 2.

The 30-year-old farmer from Dauin’s Barangay Malungcay Dacu was arrested by virtue of a warrant for qualified rape of a minor.

Police said the suspect allegedly sexually abused his minor niece.

Meanwhile, the No. 9 most wanted person, known as alias “Jhon,” was arrested at around 10:48 a.m. on April 8 in Sitio Katugasan, Barangay Simacolong, Lazi, Siquijor.

The 50-year-old suspect, a resident of Barangay Simacolong, is facing three counts of rape, with no bail recommended.

Authorities said he is accused of sexually abusing the victim on multiple occasions.

Police added that the operations were conducted in accordance with standard procedures.

The two arrested individuals are now under the custody of their respective police stations for proper legal disposition.

Regional police said the successful operations reflect strengthened intelligence coordination and sustained efforts to track down wanted persons, reaffirming their commitment to uphold the rule of law and ensure the safety of communities across the region./CJ, WDJ