NCRPO’s top 2 ‘high value target’ arrested in Pasig

The National Capital Region Police Office’s (NCRPO) number 2 high value target who reportedly came home Christmas, according to police, was arrested on Wednesday morning in Pasig City by the intelligence unit of the Eastern Police District.

Eastern Police District director Chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula identified the suspect as Isagani Escuadro, who has two standing warrants of arrest for illegal drugs in Antipolo, Rizal and unjust vexation in Pasig.

Senior Inspector Medel Rafuson, chief of the EPD’s district intelligence operations section, said their team led by Senior Police Officer 2 Norman Barcellano nabbed Escuadro while he was approaching his house at MM St, Soldier’s Village in Barangay (village) Sta Lucia around 5 a.m.

The arrest was based on the warrants, a tip from an informant and months of surveillance, Rafuson added. Escuadro, he said, was hopping from one residence to another. He returned to Pasig for Christmas.

Rafuson said Escuadro was earlier arrested but had been out on bail, and has failed to attend his previous hearings.

According to police records, Escuadro has a bench warrant of arrest issued by Presiding Judge Kevin Narce Vivero of regional Trial Court Branch 71 of Antipolo City dated August 2 this year  for violating section 11, Article 2 of RA 9165. He also has unjust vexation charges in relation to RA 84369 issued by presiding judge Florian Abalajon of RTC Branch 261 of Pasay City.

Escuadro refused to comment when Inquirer met him at the Eastern Police District headquarters on Wednesday.