Zamboanga town’s most wanted man nabbed in Iloilo

By: Jennifer P. Rendon 

THE most wanted man of Manukan town in Zamboanga del Norte was arrested June 23, 2019 in Lemery, Iloilo.

Renerio Andawal, 44, of Barangay Lingatongan, Manukan town, is believed to have been hiding in Barangay Alcantara, a hinterland village in Lemery, for about four years before his arrest.

Police Captain Marvin Buenavista, Lemery police chief, said the suspect sought refuge in Lemery after he allegedly committed murder.

Judge Ric Bastasa of Branch 8, Regional Trial Court 9th Judicial Region in Dipolog City issued his warrant of arrest on Sept. 5, 2016.

The murder case allegedly stemmed from a land dispute.

Andawal had relatives in Lemery.

A friend of their family was able to purchase a farmland in the area. He, together with his family, stayed there and became caretaker of the land.

But the aunt of the murder victim later got information that Andawal was staying in Lemery town. They tracked down the landowner until they were led to Alcantara village.

A policeman from Manukan went to Lemery and sought the local police’s help in arresting Andawal.

The suspect will be brought back to Zamboanga to face the charges against him.