Two most wanted suspects arrested in Western Visayas

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Two individuals listed as most wanted persons were arrested in separate operations in Western Visayas on Wednesday, Jan. 28.

Police identified the suspects only by their aliases: Steph, 26, a resident of Sapian, Capiz, and Ser, 34, of Libertad, Antique.

Members of the Sapian Municipal Police Station and the Roxas City Police Station arrested Steph at about 4:15 p.m. in Barangay 8, Roxas City.

Steph, a salesman, is charged with two counts of statutory rape.

He was arrested by virtue of a warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 20 in Mambusao, Capiz, on Jan. 27, 2026.

The court recommended no bail for his temporary liberty.

Police said Steph is the second most wanted person in Capiz province.

In a separate operation, personnel from the Libertad Municipal Police Station, the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Antique Police Provincial Office and the 2nd Antique Provincial Mobile Force Company arrested Ser at about 4 p.m. in Sitio San Juan, Barangay San Roque, Libertad.

Ser, a laborer, is accused of four counts of acts of lasciviousness in relation to Section 5(b) of Republic Act No. 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

The arrest warrant was issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 13 in Culasi, Antique, on Jan. 22, 2026.

The court recommended bail of PHP 180,000 for each count.

Police said Ser is listed as the ninth most wanted person in Antique province.

Both suspects are currently detained for proper disposition of their cases.