Wanted church leader arrested in Agusan del Sur

BUTUAN CITY — A church leader, who is wanted for charges of serious physical injuries, was arrested by members of the Bunawan Municipal Police Station (MPS) and Agusan del Sur Police Provincial office (PPO) Sunday in Purok 6, Barangay Consuelo, Bunawan town, Agusan del Sur.

Chief Supt. Rolando B. Felix, regional director of Northeastern Mindanao Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13), identified the suspect as Sherwin C. Ostan, 38, pastor of the Power of Faith Ministries Christian Outreach, Inc., and resident of Barangay Consuelo in Bunawan.

The suspect was arrested on the strength of a warrant of arrest issued by a local court for serious physical injuries, the region’s police chief said.

“The suspect is now in the custody of Rosario MPS for further legal documentation before submitting to the issuing court,” Felix said.

Meanwhile, government anti-illegal logging task force seized on Sunday afternoon 3, 347.83 board feet of illegallycut logs in Sitio Witi, Barangay Limot, Veruela town, Surigao del Sur.

Operating elements of the Veruela Municipal Police Station, Agusan del Sur PPO and DENR-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office are now conducting an investigation on the seized logs to determine the identity of the owner for the subsequent filing of a case for violation of the Forestry Code of the Philippines, Felix added.