A FORMER police officer wanted for murder was apprehended in Pampanga last Wednesday after nearly two decades on the run.
Southern Police District Director Brig. Gen. Manuel Abrugena said Nico Cruz Garcia was arrested last March 5 at Montana View, Barangay Panipuan, San Fernando, Pampanga.
The 49-year-old suspect, who had been evading authorities since 2006, is the subject of a warrant of arrest issued by Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 142 Presiding Judge Dina Pestaño Teves for murder.
The court recommended no bail for the ex-police officer.
The operation that led to his arrest was carried out by operatives of the Makati Police
Operatives of the Station Intelligence Section and Warrant and Subpoena Unit were assisted by policemen from the Pampanga Police Provincial Office, San Fernando City Police Station, Mexico Municipal Police Station, Macabebe Municipal Police Station and the 1st and 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Companies in carrying out the arrest order.
“This arrest reflects the strong dedication of law enforcement in ensuring that fugitives, no matter how long they have evaded justice, will be held accountable,” Abrugena said in a statement.
“We will continue to strengthen our intelligence operations and coordination with different police units to bring criminals to justice,” he added.
In a related development, operatives of the SPD Intelligence Section and the District Mobile Force Battalion led by Capt. Ricardo Quibrantos Jr. arrested one alias Dave Allen in Barangay Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City, at past 9 p.m. last Wednesday.
Quibrantos is the subject of a warrant issued by Makati RTC Branch 141 Presiding Judge Cristina Arcilla Mabazza for violation of Republic Act 10883, also known as the New Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016, last February 19.
Abrugena said Quibrantos is included in the Top 5 Most Wanted persons of the Makati police.
