A JOINT team composed of elements from the Regional Special Operations Group-Regional Intelligence Division, National Capital Region Police Office (RSOG- RID, NCRPO), the Philippine Navy, 83rd Company and 81st Company, both from the Rapid Deployment Battalion Philippine National Police – Special Action Force (RDB PNP-SAF) and Calamba City Police Station swooped down on Kai- Balinese Pool Resort, Indigo Bay Hot Spring Subdivision Sucol, Real, Calamba City, Laguna and arrested the former Mayor of Dingras, Ilocos Norte.
In a report to NCRPO Acting Regional Director PBGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr., the combined team of law enforcement personnel that conducted the intelligence-driven operation arrested former Dingras, Ilocos Norte mayor Marynette Gamboa, who was wanted for murder.
Gamboa, who was tagged as the Number 2 Provincial Level Most Wanted Person of Ilocos Norte, was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued on July 11, 2022 by Hon. Felix Gabrial Salvador, Presiding Judge of RTC Branch 17 Batac City, Ilocos Norte, for the crime of murder with no bail recommended.
The former mayor is the alleged mastermind in the killing of Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative President Lorenzo Rey Ruiz back in 2009. She was also tagged as the alleged mastermind in the ambush of Dingras Mayor-Elect Jeffrey Saguid and Sangguniang Panlalawigan Board Member Robert Castro in December 2009.
Gamboa was released from prison in Batac City two weeks after she was arrested for murder charges after the same court lifted the warrant of arrest issued on May 30, 2019 against Gamboa, citing her pending motion for reconsideration.
However, Gamboa’s appeal was rejected after three years and an arrest warrant was again issued by Judge Salvador on July 11, 2022.
The accused is currently under the custody of the RSOG Office for documentation and proper disposition.
Gen. Nartatez lauded the arresting officers for nabbing Gamboa. “I commend the collaboration of our operating units for another positive intelligence-driven operation and implementation of a warrant of arrest against a person sought by law. This serves as a warning to all fugitives. You can hide but you cannot run from the long arm of the law. Your police force and our partner agencies remain focused on our commitment to account all persons with a warrant of arrest and put them behind bars,” the acting NCRPO Chief stated.