Iloilo’s top most-wanted man arrested in New Lucena

By Jennifer P. Rendon

NEW LUCENA, Iloilo — Iloilo province’s top most-wanted person was arrested in a manhunt operation on the afternoon of June 17 in New Lucena, Iloilo.

Police identified the suspect as alias “Lomer,” 47, of Barangay Bita-og Gaja, New Lucena.

He was arrested in the town’s poblacion area by virtue of a warrant for murder under Criminal Case No. 25-95877.

Judge Emerald Requina-Contreras of Regional Trial Court Branch 23 in Iloilo City issued the arrest warrant on Feb. 26, 2026.

No bail was recommended for his temporary liberty.

Police Lt. Jhonrey Laru-an, New Lucena police chief, said the suspect was accused of killing a 16-year-old boy from Zarraga, Iloilo.

The shooting incident happened in Barangay Bita-og Gaja in April 2025.

The victim was allegedly a known thief in the area, police said.

The suspect was not immediately arrested and left New Lucena before the arrest warrant was issued against him.

Police recently monitored that he had returned to the area.

Lomer is now detained pending proper disposition of his case.