Police authorities arrested a national-level fugitive in Davao Oriental during a manhunt operation, ending nearly three decades of hiding over two murder cases in Davao de Oro, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group said.
The CIDG Davao City Field Unit, together with intelligence and police units from Region 11, conducted the operation at about 2:45 p.m. on Jan. 26, 2026, in Malalanse, Barangay Lucod, Baganga town.
The suspect, identified only by the alias “Pendong,” is a 64-year-old married resident of Barangay Salingcomot, Baganga. CIDG officials said he was arrested by virtue of warrants of arrest for two murder cases issued by a Nabunturan court on Aug. 28, 1995, and Feb. 20, 1996.
CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II said the accused was listed as a National Most Wanted Person with a reward of 100,000 pesos under a Department of the Interior and Local Government memorandum circular.
Authorities said the suspect was allegedly a former commanding officer of the Special Operating Group of the dismantled Guerilla Front 15 under the Southern Mindanao Regional Command of the New People’s Army.
According to CIDG background information, the first case dates to Feb. 18, 1995, in Compostela, Davao de Oro, where the accused and other armed individuals allegedly shot and stabbed a male victim, causing fatal injuries.
A second incident allegedly occurred on Dec. 18, 1995, also in Compostela, where the accused and another individual reportedly shot another male victim, resulting in his death.
The CIDG said the intensified manhunt operations support the focused program of Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
CIDG leaders commended regional and field operatives for the intelligence-driven arrest, saying it reflects the agency’s commitment to pursuing wanted persons nationwide.
