Iloilo’s fourth most wanted man arrested

By Jennifer P. Rendon

One of the “topmost wanted persons” in the province of Iloilo was arrested evening of Jan. 30 at Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

Michael Gumatas, 32, of Barangay PD Monfort North, Dumangas, Iloilo, was playing billiards at Gaisano Time Square in Barangay San Rafael, Mandurriao, when police collared him.

Members of the Leganes Municipal Police Station, together with the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group – Visayas Field Unit, apprehended Gumatas by virtue of an arrest warrant for murder in Criminal Case Number 16-7752.

Judge Regina Centenera Galang-Guarin of the 6th Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 30, Iloilo City issued the arrest warrant on Jan. 15, 2024.

No bail is set for his temporary liberty.

Captain John Robles, Leganes police chief, said Gumatas was ranked as the fourth most wanted person of Iloilo.

The suspect was charged along with two others for a killing that happened in 2016 at Barangay Lapayon, Leganes.

While Gunatas knew that he was charged, he claimed that he was wrongly implicated and had no hand in the incident.

The suspect is now detained and will be presented to the court.