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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ex-Army soldier turned gun-for-hire leader nabbed in Oriental Mindoro, PNP says

Ex-Army soldier turned gun-for-hire leader nabbed in Oriental Mindoro, PNP says

Published Jul 3, 2026 04:48 pm

At A Glance

  • Police operatives arrested Noel Pedro Manuel, alias "Tawi," an alleged gun-for-hire leader and the No. 3 most wanted fugitive in Mimaropa, during an intelligence-led operation in Roxas, Oriental Mindoro on July 2.
  • Police served four warrants for murder and frustrated murder against Manuel, who allegedly tried to shoot at arresting officers before he was subdued. Authorities recovered a .45-caliber pistol, two magazines, and 16 rounds of ammunition.
  • PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said the arrest will weaken the suspect's criminal groupand ordered police commanders nationwide to intensify intelligence operations and the manhunt for other high-value fugitives.
(Courtesy of Philippine National Police)
(Courtesy of Philippine National Police)
The Philippine National Police (PNP) captured a former Philippine Army (PA) soldier who allegedly turned into a leader of a gun-for-hire syndicate and one of the most wanted fugitives in Mimaropa (Region 4B) during a targeted operation in Roxas, Oriental Mindoro on Thursday, July 2.
Police identified the suspect as Noel Pedro Manuel, also known as “Tawi,” a former member of the Philippine Army Special Forces, who was linked to criminal activities across Oriental Mindoro and Batangas.
Operatives from the PNP Intelligence Group (IG) and the Regional Intelligence Unit of Police Regional Office in Mimaropa (PRO 4B) served four warrants of arrest against the suspect for murder and frustrated murder, all of which carried no recommended bail, around 1:55 p.m. in Sitio Upper Odiong, Barangay Odiong.
The suspect currently holds the No. 3 spot on the most wanted list of the entire PRO 4B. He is also tagged as the No. 1 most wanted person in both the Oriental Mindoro Police Provincial Office and the Roxas Municipal Police Station.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) had previously issued a P375,000 bounty for his capture.
During his arrest, the suspect allegedly tried to fire a gun at the arresting team but the alert cops subdued him swiftly.
Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., PNP chief, touted the arrest as a major win for the force.
“This is a major accomplishment because we removed a high-value fugitive who was involved in gun-for-hire activities in Oriental Mindoro and Batangas,” Nartatez said.
Police recovered a caliber .45 pistol, two magazines, and 16 rounds of live ammunition from the suspect.
“We expect this to weaken the operations of his group and generate leads on other personalities. The PNP will continue intelligence-driven operations to dismantle criminal networks and bring all wanted persons to justice,” Nartatez said.
The PNP chief added that the arrest should serve as a warning to other fugitives that they would not be able to escape the long arm of the law.
“I have directed all police commanders to intensify intelligence gathering and strengthen coordination with other law enforcement and intelligence agencies to locate and arrest remaining high-value fugitives,” Nartatez said.

Related Tags

PNP Special Forces gun-for-hire Oriental Mindoro
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