Fugitive for 12 Years: Balbalan Police finally capture CTG-linked murder suspect

Balbalan, Kalinga – A murder suspect who had evaded arrest for more than a decade will finally face the charges filed against him in 2014, following his capture for a separate offense earlier this year.

The Balbalan police identified the suspect as a resident of Balbalan with alleged ties to a Communist Terrorist Group. Authorities withheld further personal details, citing the Data Privacy Act and the constitutional rights of the accused.

The suspect has an outstanding arrest warrant for murder issued by Hon. Marcelino K. Wacas, Presiding Judge of Branch 25, Regional Trial Court, 2nd Judicial Region, Bulanao, dated January 14, 2014. No bail was recommended for his temporary release.

For 12 years, the suspect remained at large until his recent detention at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) for another offense. This allowed authorities to serve the long-pending arrest warrant while he was in custody.

Balbalan Police Officer-in-Charge, PCapt. Julio Salibad, emphasized that long-outstanding warrants are not forgotten, reaffirming the police’s commitment to maintaining peace and order in the municipality.

“Our duty is to uphold the law fairly and firmly. Justice may take time, but it will always be pursued,” Salibad said.