Police use Facebook to arrest Valenzuela City fugitive in Aklan

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Police used Facebook to help trace the whereabouts of its most wanted person in Caloocan-Malabon-Navotas-Valenzuela (Camanava) area. 

Valenzuela City police chief Senior Superintendent Rhoderick Armamento said the suspect was monitored by the police through his Facebook account and was traced he was hiding in Kalibo, Aklan.

On Tuesday morning, the latest fugitive to fall was identified as Ramon Dio, 35, businessman, temporarily staying at Barangay New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan. Dio was arrested at around 8:30 a.m. along the busy G. Pastrana Street in Barangay Poblacion here.

“Dio is from Valenzuela and pansamantalang nanirahan sa New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan. Kabilang siya sa apat na members ng isang criminal gang na Emong Group at tumatayong lider. Ang kanyang kasamahan ay inactive na. Nagtitinda siya ng hopia at tinapay sa Kalibo, may bakery siya diyan,” Armamento said.

The joint operation is in line with PNP’s campaign to arrest and put behind bars the most wanted criminals under ‘Oplan Lambat-Sibat’.

“Aktibo ang Emong group sa mga pinaghihinalaang robbery-holdup incidents sa northern part ng Metro Manila noong 2013. Ilan sa kasamahan ni Dio ay namatay sa Cebu, yung isa nadismissed ang kaso. Na traced natin si Dio sa Boracay at ngayon sa Kalibo, Aklan,” Armamento added. 

The arrest was made by Joint operatives from Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) led by deputy provincial director for administration Superintendent Aden Lagradante, Aklan Public Safety Company led by Superintendent Pablito Asmod and personnel from Kalibo police station under Superintendent Pedro Enriquez. 

Dio alias “Boss Emong” or “Alas” allegedly masterminded the killing of Joselito Macapagal Lopez on November 5, 2012 in Karuhatan, Valenzuela City in the alleged robbery-holdup incident.

He was also involved in another incident in Karuhatan market in Valenzuela in connection with the killing of a market administrator.  

“Na set up lang ako, wala akong kinalaman sa krimen, nilagay ako ng mga pulis sa kaso at gumamit sila ng testigo. Kamag-anak ko rin ang napatay,” Dio said after his arrest. 

The suspect was initially brought to Kalibo police station.

The operatives were armed with a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Maria Nina Santos of the National Capital Judicial Region on October 4, 2013 under Criminal Case No. 593-V-13 for murder without bail recommended. 

On Wednesday morning, Dio was brought to Metro Manila on board a commercial flight. The suspect is now under the custody of Northern Police District.