The top and fifth most wanted persons in Negros Island Region, charged for rape and murder, respectively, were arrested in separate manhunt operations in Negros Occidental over the weekend.

In a report, the Police Regional Office – Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) said the most wanted person, 20-year-old alias “Mar,” is facing six counts of rape with no recommended bail.

The accused, a resident of Barangay II in La Carlota City, was served a warrant of arrest by a joint police team at Villa Caridad Subdivision in Barangay III around 10:40 a.m. on Saturday, July 4.

He “engaged in repeated sexual intercourse with his minor girlfriend at his residence, which allegedly resulted in the victim’s pregnancy,” the PRO-NIR report said.

“The arrest of the regional number one most wanted person sends a clear message that no fugitive can outrun the law. We will continue to intensify manhunt operations to ensure that those accused of serious crimes are brought to justice,” PRO-NIR Director Brigadier General Romano Cardiño said.

Around the same hour, in Barangay E. Lopez, Silay City, joint police operatives arrested 47-year-old alias “Al,” a suspected gun-for-hire from Barangay Purisima, Manapla in northern Negros.

Charged with murder, he was allegedly involved in a drug-related shooting in Silay City in 2024, the PRO-NIR report said.

Police records showed he was also arrested for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act in nearby Victorias City in 2022.

“Every successful arrest of a wanted person contributes to the administration of justice and the safety of the community. We are committed to enforcing the law and ensuring that wanted persons are held accountable,” Cardiño said. (PNA)