CAMP DANGWA, Benguet – The Cordillera region’s most wanted person was finally captured in Ifugao province after hiding for more than 29 years.
Brig. Gen.R’win Pagkalinawan, director of Police Regional Office-Cordillera, said operatives of the Lagawe Municipal Police Station (MPS) arrested James Bunay Humiwat, 53, at his hide-out at Sitio Bakkugan Pullan, Lagawe, Ifugao on January 4.
Pagkalinawan said Humiwat was listed as The Most Wanted Person on the regional level with a reward of P140,000.
He was apprehended by virtue of a warrant of arrest for multiple frustrated murder with no bail recommended issued by Judge Segundo B. Catral, presiding Judge of RTC, Branch 14, Lagawe, Ifugao, and attempted murder with assault against a person in authority with a recommended bail of P30,000 issued by Judge Fernando F. Flor, Jr., presiding Judge of RTC, Branch 14, Lagawe, Ifugao.
Ifugao PNP Director David Mariano, said Humiwat threw a grenade inside the Jose Singh’s store at Poblacion South, Lagawe, Ifugao that resulted in the wounding of six victims identified as Anna Valdez, Shermaliza Valdez Godoy, Lalaine Dornagon, Juliet Olsim Rapada, Jenekyn Quiano Bamba, and Ralph Dornagon on January 11, 1992.
On April 13, 2000, Humiwat was accused of attempted murder with assault against a person in authority at Nayon, Lamut, Ifugao.
“This accomplishment shouldn’t have been realized if not for the untiring efforts and quick action of our operatives in performing their sworn duty with emphasis on the participation and trust of the community in providing reliable information,” Mariano added.