CIDG arrests alleged wanted man in Cordillera

MANILA, Philippines—Authorities said they arrested Tuesday the alleged number 1 most wanted person in the Cordillera Region.

Jonete “Jojo” Jacinto, 4, is allegedly behind an ambush try against a local official in Abra in 2010, among other homicide cases, a Criminal Investigation and Detection Group official said Wednesday.

CIDG chief, Director Samuel Pagdilao Jr., said Jacinto was arrested in Barangay (village) Bangloloan in Bucay, Abra, around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday by joint operatives from CIDG and the local police in Abra.

Pagdilao said the arrest of Jacinto is part of the CIDG’s aggressive campaign to run after suspected members of partisan armed group involved in election-related violence to ensure the conduct of Secure and Fair Elections in 2013 by preventing PAGs from being utilized for political harassments and violence.

Cordillera CIDG chief, Senior Superintendent Bartolome Bustamante, said Jacinto is facing three counts of frustrated murder, multiple attempted murder, and violation of the Commission on Elections Resolution 8714.

Jacinto, he said, has been involved in numerous homicide cases in Abra, including the failed ambush against Bangued Mayor Ryan Luna who was then running for office in 2010.

Aside from Jacinto, CIDG is also hot on the trail of five other suspects – brothers Pepe, Francisco and Paul Bodonia; Bobot Gonzales, and Harold Quemerista.