• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
In its non-stop manhunt operations to bring fugitives to justice, the Police Regional Office – Negros Island Region successfully nabbed three wanted individuals accused of the crime of rape in Bayawan, Negros Oriental, and Don Salvador Benedicto and Hinigaran in Negros Occidental.
The top catch was the region’s number 1 ranked most wanted person, Christopher Olpos, a 41-year-old farmer and a resident of Purok Katubahan, Barangay Mayabon, Zamboanguita in Negros Oriental.
Olpos was apprehended at Barangay Ubos in Bayawan City on Thursday, through an operation carried out by intel operatives of the 5th Maneuver Company and Regional Mobile Force Battalion, in coordination with the Bayawan City Police Station.
After 17 years of hiding, the suspect was served with a warrant of arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court, 7th Judicial Region Branch 63 in Bayawan City on June 20, 2008, accused of the crime of rape.
In the town of Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, a 22-year-old construction worker named alias “Ronnel” was nabbed by the police during the hot pursuit operation conducted at Kaisahan Village in Brgy. Gargato.
The suspect, who was accused of four counts of rape, was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest released by the Regional Trial Court, 6th Judicial Region, Branch 13 – Family Court in Himamaylan City.
Moreover, alias “MJ,” a 22-year-old farmer, was apprehended in his residence at Purok Paz 1, Barangay Minoyan, Murcia, Negros Occidental.
He was accused of the crime of statutory rape, with the warrant of arrest issued and signed on July 24, 2025, by the Negros Occidental, the police report said.
Regional Director PBrig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay emphasized that the arrest of the wanted persons is a key component of a comprehensive and intensified anti-criminality strategy designed to improve public safety and deepen community trust.
“By addressing crime at its roots and strengthening partnerships with the public, we are committed to building a safer, more peaceful, and progressive Negros Island that benefits every resident,” he stressed.
The arrested persons are under the custody of the police for proper disposition and will face charges in accordance with RA 8353, or the Anti-Rape Law, and RA 11648, or an act providing for stronger protection against rape and sexual exploitation and abuse.*
