Brig. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia (left, front row), Central Luzon police director, tells reporters how kidnap-for-ransom fugitive Mario Valerio, the country’s 12th most wanted person, was arrested in Tarlac province. CARMELA REYES-ESTROPE
CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga–The country’s 12th most wanted person, allegedly involved in the kidnapping of the son of a gasoline magnate in Angeles City, has been arrested after 17 years in hiding, police said here on Monday (Feb. 3).
Brig. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia, Central Luzon police director, said Mario Valerio, 54, a resident of Concepcion town in Tarlac province, was arrested last Friday (Jan. 31) in Capas town, also in Tarlac.
Sermonia, who presented Valerio to the media, said the fugitive managed to work as a truck driver in the Middle East.
Valerio also worked as a driver of singer actress Sarah Geronimo and used the fictitious name “Ruben Galdones Basa.”
Valerio’s arrest was based on a search warrant issued by Judge Ofelia Tuazon Pinto of Branch 60 of Angeles City on Jan. 25, 2003.
Col. Augusto Pasamonte, Capas chief of police, said Valerio was charged with kidnapping for ransom in connection with the 2003 kidnapping of the 9-year-old son of a businesswoman in Angeles.