By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – A Filipino fugitive with an International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) red notice was arrested for multiple sexual offenses, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said on Tuesday.
NCRPO Director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin said a highly coordinated operation among the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC), the National Central Bureau of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and other national law enforcement agencies led to the arrest of 56-year-old electrician assistant upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City at about 2:11 p.m. on Monday.
Aberin said the suspect, formerly based in Abu Dhabi, faces charges for three counts of rape, as well as two counts of lascivious conduct and six counts of acts of lasciviousness in relation to Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
The charges were filed before the Regional Trial Court Branch 5 in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan.
The fugitive, who has a PHP160,000 bounty on his head, was also listed as a target personality in Coplan Hadas, a mission spearheaded by the District Intelligence Division of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD).
In a separate statement, the QCPD identified the fugitive as Arnold Abril, who is now under the custody of its District Intelligence Division.
Aberin commended the NCRPO operatives for their diligence and success.
“This operation delivers a resolute message – escaping justice is futile. We will cross borders, close gaps, and confront criminals wherever they may be. No predator will find refuge beyond our reach,” he said in a statement. (PNA)
