118 suspects fall in police crackdown in MIMAROPA

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — A total of 118 crime suspects were arrested regionwide in MIMAROPA (Mindoro Island provinces, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan) in a two-day police crackdown dubbed as “Enhanced Managing Police Operations” or EMPO.

Chief Superintendent Wilben M. Mayor, regional director of PRO-MIMAROPA said EMPO is formerly known as the OTBT or “One Time, Big Time Operations.”

Those arrested are charged with violations of special laws such as illegal gambling, illegal logging and illegal fishing. Others were nabbed as a result of implementing court-issued warrants.

Out of the 91 operations, 65 persons were arrested last Thursday and 53 nabbed on Friday with a total of 69 of them subjects of warrants of arrest.

Mayor said 10 arrested were among the most wanted and identified them as Angelo P. Ricafranca, No. 7 most wanted in Sta. Cruz, Marinduque who faces estafa raps; Ruel P. Vitan, No. 6 in Sta. Cruz, Marinduque (attempted homicide); Gary R. Oplenia, No. 7 in Torrijos, Marinduque (RA 9262: Violence against Women and Children); John Paul G. Anlap, No. 8 in Quezon, Palawan (attempted murder); Eleuterio A. Panes, No. 9 in Taytay, Palawan;

Arjon S. Mascarinas, No. 1 in Pinamalayan (rape); Luminador S. Prudente, No. 5 in Taytay, Palawan (RA 9262); Abejon C. Rico, No. 3 in Taytay, Palawan (rape); Rogelio M. Araniel, alias “Jun-Jun,” No. 10 in Coron, Palawan; and Joey R. Maestro, No. 3 in Romblon, Romblon (frustrated murder).