CAMP OLIVAS, CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, PAMPANGA – After more than 15 years in hiding, one of the country’s Most Wanted Persons (MWP) was nabbed during a manhunt operation in Malolos, Bulacan on Sunday morning.
The suspect was identified as Maria Salome Crisostomo, 64 years old, widow, national coordinator of the Philippines Against Child Trafficking (PACT), and a resident of Lucero St. Barangay Mabolo, City of Malolos, Bulacan.
Bulacan Police acting provincial director PCol. Manuel Lukban Jr. said Crisostomo was arrested by a joint team composed of troops from the Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU-4A), which is the lead unit, RIU-3, Malolos CPS, Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) Bulacan, 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), Bulacan Provincial Police Office (PPO), Balagtas Municipal Police Station (MPS), Delta Company of the 7Oth Infantry Battalion, and 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army (PA).
Around 10:45 a.m., the joint team of operatives swooped down on the suspect’s residence armed with a warrant for Crisostomo’s arrest. The suspect, according to Lukban, has a standing Warrant of Arrest for the crime of Rebellion under Criminal Case No. 2006-554 issued by Hon. Virgilio Alfajora, Presiding Judge of RTC Branch 59, Lucena City dated June 28, 2006 with no bail recommended.
Police Brigadier Gen. Mathew Baccay, Police Regional Office 3 director, lauded the successful arrest of Crisostomo by the joint team of operatives.
“This is a clear message that Central Luzon is not a safe haven for criminals. I order the troops on the ground to step up manhunt operations in order to apprehend all wanted fugitives,” Baccay said.