CAMP GEN. MARIANO LLANERA, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija — Police operatives of the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (NEPPO), led personally by Provincial Director PCOL Heryl “Daguit” L. Bruno, successfully rescued a 59-year-old businessman who was kidnapped earlier today, January 26, 2026, and arrested three suspects, including the alleged mastermind—an AWOL police officer and the victim’s own cousin—following a swift and coordinated hot pursuit operation.
The operation involved personnel from Cabanatuan City Police Station (CPS), the Provincial Intelligence Unit, 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), RSOG 3, San Miguel Municipal Police Station (MPS), and Palayan CPS.
Initial investigation revealed that at around 7:52 a.m., the victim was forcibly taken at gunpoint by three male suspects upon arriving at his warehouse in Brgy. Kapitan Pepe, Cabanatuan City. The suspects also commandeered the victim’s red Toyota pick-up truck and fled southbound. A ransom demand of ₱5 million was later made for the victim’s release.
While escaping toward Brgy. Bakod Bayan, the suspects were involved in a hit-and-run incident that injured two civilians. Residents reportedly hurled stones at the suspects’ vehicle following the incident. The injured civilians were immediately brought to Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center for medical treatment.
The victim was subsequently found safe at Amorville, Purok 1, Brgy. Bakod Bayan, while his stolen vehicle was later located at Sitio Hacienda, Purok 2 of the same barangay. The vehicle reportedly sustained a flat tire, forcing the suspects to abandon it and flee separately using other vehicles or public transportation.
The suspects were later sighted heading toward Sitio Parugrog, Brgy. Kalikid Sur, prompting intensified pursuit operations. Through tracking data from the victim’s stolen cellphone, police were able to locate and arrest the alleged mastermind—a 49-year-old AWOL police officer, married, and resident of Brgy. Mabini Extension, Cabanatuan City—at Sitio Daang Bakal, Brgy. San Juan, San Miguel, Bulacan, at around 5:52 p.m. He was allegedly intercepted while attempting to dispose of and sell the victim’s cellphone, which led operatives directly to his location.
Follow-up operations resulted in the arrest of the two remaining suspects: a 34-year-old single, unemployed male from Brgy. Barrera, Cabanatuan City, and a 27-year-old married, unemployed male from Palayan City, Nueva Ecija. Both were apprehended in their respective barangays.
Criminal complaints for Kidnapping under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code are now being prepared against all three suspects.
PCOL Bruno commended the swift and unified response of the involved units, stressing that the authority and knowledge gained from police service are meant to protect the public and must never be exploited for criminal acts. He added that the successful operation was carried out in accordance with the directives of PBGEN Ponce Rogelio I. Peñones, Regional Director of PRO3, and is aligned with the PNP Focused Agenda under PLTGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., Acting Chief, Philippine National Police, in line with the mantra: “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman.”