37 Years on the Run: 71-year-old ‘national most wanted’ murder suspect finally nabbed in Isabela

ISABELA, Philippines — After 37 years of evading authorities, a 71-year-old man accused of killing four people in a 1989 shooting incident in Isabela was arrested in Upi, Maguindanao del Norte on September 2, 2026.

The suspect, identified by police only as alias “Norman,” is a native of Sto. Tomas, Isabela, but had been residing in Nuro Poblacion, Upi, Maguindanao del Norte. He was listed as a national most wanted person by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), with a ₱50,000 reward offered for his arrest.

According to the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), joint operatives arrested Norman at around 6:40 p.m. on September 2 after serving a warrant of arrest for murder.

1989 shooting

The murder case stemmed from a shooting incident on August 24, 1989, in Barangay Bagutari, Sto. Tomas, Isabela.

Police said four individuals were passing by Norman’s residence when he allegedly opened fire at them, resulting in the instantaneous deaths of all four victims.

Investigators reportedly found that the suspect had a longstanding personal grudge against the victims allegedly stemming from a land dispute.

After the incident, Norman reportedly left his residence and moved to different places before eventually settling in Maguindanao del Norte, where he allegedly remained for decades.

Arrest after nearly four decades

The long-running manhunt ended after authorities served a warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court, Second Judicial Region, Branch 18 in Ilagan City, Isabela, dated August 28, 2026.

The court did not recommend bail for the accused.

Following his arrest, Norman was placed under the custody of CIDG Isabela before being turned over to the issuing court for proper disposition.

The CIDG said the arrest underscores its continuing commitment to enforcing the law and pursuing wanted persons, regardless of how long they have remained at large.