14,000 arrests, but still no sign of Palparan, Reyes brothers, Ecleo, and Delfin Lee - PNP

25-Jul-12, 12:57 PM | Abigail Kwok, InterAksyon.com

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InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday boasted of having arrested over 14,000 wanted personalities over the first five months of 2012, but admitted difficulty in arresting high-profile suspects like retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, the Reyes brothers in Palawan, former Rep. Ruben Ecleo, and Globe Asiatique's Delfin Lee.
PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr. said a total of 14,109 wanted persons were arrested from January to May 2012, 74 of whom were listed as the country's Top Most Wanted Persons (TMWP).
But the long list of arrested persons do not include high-profile fugitives Palparan, Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes, Coron Mayor Mario Reyes Jr., Ecleo and Lee. The five continue to evade arrest despite of dedicated "tracker teams," monetary rewards and intensified manhunt operations.
Cerbo admitted that the PNP is having difficulty arresting the so-called "Big 5" personalities.
"At the moment there is no strong information or evidence to point to the arrest of these top five personalities," Cerbo told reporters.
Palparan remains in hiding since an arrest warrant was issued last year against him. He is wanted in connection with the disappearance of two students of the University of the Philippines. A P1 million reward has been offered for his arrest.
The Reyes brothers, meanwhile, have a P1.5 million bounty on their heads. Both are suspected of being behind the assassination of Palawan environmentalist and journalist Gerry Ortega.
Ecleo has been in hiding since being tied to the murder of his wife. In April, a court had already sentenced him in absentia to 20- to 40-years imprisonment.
Lee is wanted over allegedly fraudulent housing development loans.
"It is possible that these people, who hold high positions, have loyal supporters that are helping them evade arrest," Cerbo told reporters.
Notwithstanding their failure to track down Palparan, the Reyes brothers, Ecleo, and Lee, the PNP said they have had success in arresting other wanted personalities with bounties on their heads. Among the most wanted that have been taken into custody:
Jonathan Carpio (P1 million reward); Sahibul Sailani (P300,000 reward); Datu Ipi Ampatuan (P300,000 reward); Macario Tadina (P300,000); Julian Bonares (P300,000); Zacaria Pama Akil (P250,000); Sonny Kasma Pandi (P250,000); Arnold Cinco (P200,000); and Lord Catabay Menor (P200,000).

The PNP has formally turned over monetary rewards to 18 informants amounting to a total of P2.33 million. The amount was funded from the PNP Reward System. Last May 29, the PNP awarded P2.4 million reward to 16 informants who provided information that led to the arrest of 17 top most wanted persons.

Source: interaksyon.com