Most wanted rape suspect arrested in Bayawan City

BAYAWAN CITY, Negros Oriental — Police in Bayawan City arrested a man tagged as one of Negros Oriental’s most wanted suspects on Sunday night, with authorities pointing to the case as part of stepped-up operations against fugitives in the province.

The Philippine National Police’s Bayawan City Police Station said the arrest happened at about 6:35 p.m. on Feb. 8, 2026, in Barangay Ubos, Bayawan City, during a police operation carried out by warrant personnel.

Police identified the arrested suspect by the alias “Tongtong,” described as a 36-year-old married man born March 28, 1989, and a resident of Barangay Tinago, Bayawan City.

In the same release, police said the suspect was listed as the No. 3 Most Wanted Person at the regional level, No. 1 at the provincial level, and No. 1 at the city level, all in connection with a rape case with sexual assault.

Authorities said the arrest was done in coordination with the Bago City Police Station, a detail the police highlighted as part of inter-unit cooperation in serving warrants.

Police said the suspect was apprehended by virtue of a warrant of arrest for “Rape by Sexual Assault,” with bail recommended at PHP 200,000.00 for his temporary liberty.

After the arrest, the suspect was placed under the custody of the Bayawan City Police Station for documentation and proper disposition, police said.

PCOL Timmar J. Alam, officer in charge of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, said the arrest reflects the police force’s emphasis on tracking wanted individuals.

“The arrest of one of the most wanted persons in Negros Oriental reflects the unwavering commitment of our police force to pursue justice and protect our communities,” Alam said.

“We commend the operatives involved for their dedication and effective coordination,” he added.

“The Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office will continue to intensify law enforcement operations to ensure that criminals are held accountable under the law,” Alam said.

Cases involving rape and sexual assault are typically handled with heightened sensitivity, and police releases generally avoid details that could identify victims or expose private information, in line with long-standing practice in Philippine crime reporting.

The release was issued under the National Police Commission and the Philippine National Police, Police Regional Office Negros Island Region, through its Regional Public Information Office based at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Barangay Estefania, Bacolod City.