ZAMBOANGA CITY — In a major blow to organized crime in Western Mindanao, a joint operation by the Police Regional Office 9 (PRO-9) led to the arrest of a National Level Most Wanted Person and alleged leader of a gun-for-hire syndicate operating in Basilan and the Zamboanga Peninsula.
The 35-year-old suspect, married and a resident of Zamboanga City, was apprehended on the evening of February 11, 2026, after authorities served a warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court of Basilan, Branch 2.
The suspect carried a ₱160,000 bounty under the National Most Wanted Person Program of the Philippine National Police and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
At around 8:00 p.m., operatives of Zamboanga City Police Station 9, acting as the lead unit, arrested the suspect in Barangay Recodo through a carefully planned intelligence-driven operation, in coordination with the Regional Intelligence Unit 9, the Zamboanga City Police Office, the 904th Regional Mobile Force Battalion 9, and the 2nd Zamboanga City Mobile Force Company.
During the operation, police served the first warrant of arrest for murder, with no recommended bail.
At around 11:10 p.m. of the same day, a follow-up operation in Barangay Ayala led to the service of a second warrant of arrest for frustrated murder, also without recommended bail.
Authorities said the suspect had long been under surveillance and was positively identified as a key figure in organized gun-for-hire activities in Basilan and the Zamboanga Peninsula based on validated intelligence reports.
After his arrest, the suspect was brought to a custodial facility for documentation and processing before being turned over to the issuing court.
PRO-9 Regional Director Edwin A. Quilates commended the operating units for their swift and coordinated action, saying the arrest reflects the police force’s strong resolve to dismantle criminal networks.
“This successful operation demonstrates our firm resolve to dismantle criminal networks and ensure that lawless elements are brought before the bar of justice,” Quilates said.
Guided by the thrust “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman,” he added that PRO-9 will continue to intensify intelligence-driven and sustained law enforcement operations.
Police officials said the successful capture of the high-value target underscores PRO-9’s strengthened operational capability and unwavering commitment to maintaining peace, order, and public safety across Western Mindanao.