Police arrested a 62-year-old man wanted for the killing of Barangay Kagawad Alfred Alvarez of Rizal town, Cagayan province in 2018.
The suspect, Simon, the sixth most wanted person in Region 2 or Cagayan Valley and allegedly a member of the Labang Crime Group linked to gun-for-hire, robbery, extortion, and other crimes in the region, was arrested last Dec. 2 in Buntun, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.
Simon faces a murder charge for allegedly murdering Alvarez with four accomplices on July 29, 2018, in Barangay San Gabriel, Tuguegarao City.
Alvarez died on the spot. One suspect was arrested after the incident while Simon and others fled.
Police said the killing was politically motivated and tied to former Rizal Vice Mayor Joel Ruma who was indicted as mastermind.
Ruma, later elected mayor, was shot dead during a campaign rally in Barangay Illuru Sur, Rizal town on April 23, 2025.