Police arrest Central Luzon most wanted

The Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Wednesday boasted dramatic gains in its anticriminality drive in Central Luzon, particularly with the arrest of two of the region’s most wanted fugitives.

CIDG agents captured 45 lawbreakers in April alone, including the two who ranked among the top 20 wanted in their respective towns, said Central Luzon CIDG chief Senior Supt. Rudy Lacadin in a statement.

Lacadin, in a report to CIDG director Samuel Pagdilao Jr., identified the two suspects as Nicole P. Labrador, 22, who was wanted for kidnapping and serious illegal detention, and Abelardo Rodriquez, who faced a warrant of arrest for illegal recruitment. No bail was recommended for either man.

Lacadin said Labrador, number 3 on the most wanted list in Orion, Bataan, was arrested on April 2 by a joint Bataan CIDG and local police team.

Rodriguez, 14th most wanted in Concepcion, Tarlac, was nabbed on April 16,  Lacadin said.

He said the CIDG drive against organized crime in Central Luzon also resulted in the neutralization of the Ugadan and Dan Muslim groups, notorious for robberies in their areas.

The CIDG likewise arrested other members of crime groups identified as Michael Y. Jurado and Kim Y. Jurado in Tarlac City and Bonifacio L. Vega and Betbet Natividad in Angeles City. DJ Yap