A former municipal mayor was arrested by police officers I Davao City by virtue of two arrest warrants issued by the Sandiganbayan on Thursday morning.
Police identified the suspect as one Rufo Pabelonia, male, 65 and former town mayor of Tagbina, Surigao del Sur.
“We assure that the arrested person’s rights will be upheld and he will be accorded with due process of law. We will return the warrants of arrest to the court of origin. His custody will depend on the judge,” Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales, director of Police Regional Office (PRO) 11, said in a statement.
According to Chief Insp. Jason Baria, spokesperson of PRO 11, the Manhunt Charlie operation was jointly conducted by Davao City Police Office (DCPO) and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group- Regional Field Unit (CIDG RFU) 11, at Purok 4, Km. 7.5, near Orange Grove, Matina Pangi, Davao City at around 11 o’clock in the morning.
He said that the warrant of arrest (WOA) was issued by Justice Edilberto G. Sandoval of Sandiganbayan, 2nd Division, Quezon City with criminal case number 2213 for violation of Section 3(a) of RA 3019, better known as Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Another WOA was issued by Justice Godofredo L. Legaspi of Sandiganbayan, 3rd Division, for Pabelonia’s failure to appear for his scheduled arraignment set on June 8, 2006.
Morales lauded the operating teams for a job well done. He said that PRO11 will remain steadfast in the campaign against Manhunt Charlie for wanted persons to ensure public safety in the community.
The suspect now is in the custody of Talomo Police station for proper disposition.
