Eastern Visayas' second most wanted nabbed in Bulacan
TACLOBAN CITY – Police arrested on Monday the second most wanted person in Eastern Visayas for murdering barangay officials in Leyte during an intelligence-driven operation in Bustos, Bulacan.
Operating teams from Regions 8 (Eastern Visayas) and 3 (Central Luzon) arrested Jeffrey Culaban, 32, on General Alejo Highway at 12:40 p.m. Monday, said the Police Regional Office 8 on July 21.
A resident of Barangay Libongao in Kananga, Leyte, the accused is a known member of the notorious Dela Rosa Criminal Group involved in a series of fatal shooting incidents in the province.
He is linked to multiple high-profile shootings in Leyte, including the fatal attacks on a barangay tanod or watchman in Casilion, Villaba, Leyte, in November 2023; a barangay councilor in Tugas, Tabango, Leyte, in February 2024; and two other separate killing incidents in Leyte, Leyte, two years ago.
Police launched the operation by virtue of four separate warrants of arrest for murder, with no bail recommended.
The arrest was carried out by composite elements of the PNP Intelligence Group-Provincial Intelligence Team Leyte, Regional Intelligence Division 8, Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU), Leyte Police Provincial Intelligence Unit, Tabango municipal police station (MPS), and their counterparts from Police Regional Office 3 -- RIU 3, Provincial Intelligence Team -Bulacan, Bulacan Provincial Police Office, and Bustos MPS.
“This arrest is a result of deliberate intelligence work and strong inter-regional cooperation. It’s an example of how the PNP is working together across boundaries to ensure wanted criminals have no place to hide,” said PRO-8 Director Police Brig. Gen. Jay Cumigad in a statement.
The high-impact arrest reflects the effectiveness of the PNP’s current operational strategy, highlighting the value of intelligence-driven efforts and strong inter-regional coordination, according to Cumigad.