CAMP MARCELO A. ADDURU, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan — Police arrested four suspected cattle rustlers and recovered eight carabaos during an anti-cattle rustling operation in Palanan, Isabela, on Wednesday night, March 25.
Police Brig. Gen. Antonio P. Marallag Jr., Police Regional Office-2 director, said the incident occurred in Barangays Dialawyao and Culasi.
The suspects – “Jok,” “Tur,” “Jhud,” and “Boy” – are residents of Divilacan, Isabela.
The Palanan Municipal Police Station (MPS) conducting mobile patrol spotted two individuals each leading two carabaos on a road.
They were asked to present proof of ownership but the suspects failed to produce any. The animals also had no identifying marks.
A follow-up operation led to the arrest of two more suspects in Barangay Culasi, who had four additional carabaos, also without proper documentation.
A total of eight carabaos were recovered.
Initial investigation revealed that the animals were allegedly purchased from an individual – “Sadam” –
who remains at large and is now the subject of a police manhunt.
The suspects were taken to the Palanan Police Station along with the recovered animals for proper documentation.
They are facing charges for violating Presidential Decree 533, or the Anti-Cattle Rustling Law.
Marallag urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to authorities to help maintain peace and security in the community.