ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) – Armed with an arrest warrant, authorities arrested a soldier facing criminal cases in a remote barangay in this southern port city, police said Friday, July 22.
Police Col. Alexander Lorenzo, Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) director, said Private 1st Class Gilbert Paje was arrested around 12:16 a.m. Friday in Barangay Tictapul.
Lorenzo said Paje, 33, has a standing warrant of arrest for three counts of rape with no recommended bail and violation of Republic Act No. 7610, otherwise known as the Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.
Police Major Jamar Tagayan, ZCPO Station 1 chief, said the suspect is listed as the Top 3 most wanted regional level, Top 5 most wanted city level, and Top 1 most wanted provincial level due to the criminal cases he is facing.
Tagayan said they launched the operation after they confirmed Paje was hiding in Barangay Tictapul. The suspect is a resident of Sergio Osmeña, Zamboanga del Norte.
Paje was placed under the temporary custody of the ZCPO Station 1 in Barangay Vitali.
“We will not stop until all the wanted persons in the city will be arrested,” Tagayan said.