Man in Baguio City hid for 23 years after shooting 3 cousins, finally arrested

Baguio City, Philippines - After more than twenty-three years of running from the hand of the law, a man in Baguio City accused of attempting to kill his own cousins was finally found and arrested by the authorities. 

The man, hidden under the name “Isabelo”, was arrested not outside Baguio or Cordillera but in just another location in the city. 

On July 11, 2025, operatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Baguio Field Unit and Regional Intelligence Unit 14 Benguet conducted a manhunt operation in Apugan Subdivision in Poliwes Camp 8, Baguio City, where Isabelo was apprehended. 

The arrest was carried out based on a warrant of arrest for attempted murder issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 5, dated November 17, 2002. He was tagged as among the most wanted persons in Cordillera since then. 

According to the report of the CIDG on its Facebook page, the arrest warrant was issued against Isabelo after he allegedly opened fire on his three cousins during an altercation over a land dispute in Pinsao, Baguio City, on July 18, 2001. 

The attack left the victims seriously injured. 

Following the arrest of Isabelo, CIDG Acting Director PBGEN Romeo J. Macapaz commended the operatives for their successful operation, stressing that the apprehension of the fugitive is a clear reminder of the agency’s unwavering commitment to justice. 

“Rest assured that your CIDG is steadfast in its fight against all forms of criminality and unrelenting in pursuing and capturing wanted persons and fugitives nationwide. We urge the public to report any information regarding the whereabouts of lawbreakers, and the CIDG will do the rest. “We are CIDG; we will act on the difficult task immediately,” the official added, as quoted in the agency’s report.