Fugitive arrested while seeking police clearance

By Jennifer P. Rendon

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – A fugitive from Luzon was arrested while applying for a police clearance at a mall in Roxas City, Capiz, late on the morning of September 9.

Jobert Dela Cruz, 38, a security guard from Sitio Upper Sampaloc, Calizo, Balete, Aklan, was wanted for multiple violations of Republic Act 7610, the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

The arrest took place at the Philippine National Police’s National Police Clearance satellite hub at Robinsons Place Roxas in Pueblo de Panay, Barangay Lawa-an, Roxas City.

Dela Cruz was accused of eight counts of violating Section 5(b) of RA 7610, as outlined in Criminal Case Numbers 39313-2021-C to 39320-2021-C.

Judge Ave Zurbito-Alba of the 4th Regional Trial Court Branch 8 in Calamba City, Laguna, issued the arrest warrant on December 1, 2021.

A bail bond of P180,000 for each count was set for his temporary release.

Executive Master Sergeant Ramil Arcangeles, public information officer of the Roxas City Police Station, said the suspect is the sixth most wanted person in Calamba City, Laguna.

The suspect may have thought his pending cases would not be detected if he applied for a police clearance in another location.

Dela Cruz is now in custody for the proper disposition of his case.