LAGAWE, Ifugao – One of the most wanted persons nationwide has been arrested by a team from the Lagawe Municipal Police Station, PIU-Ifugao, Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit-Ifugao, and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Ifugao last Jan. 4 at Sitio Bakkugon, Pullaan, this town.
Fifty-three year old James B. Humiwat, also the top most wanted of the province, has standing alias warrants of arrest for multiple frustrated murder and attempted murder with assault against a person in authority issued on Aug. 18, 1993 and Jan. 4, 2001, respectively.
An alias warrant of arrest is issued by a court when the original warrant is returned in 10 days without being served.
It took two months of intelligence operations, coordination, and verification before Humiwat’s warrant was served.
Humiwat is facing charges for multiple frustrated murder when on Jan. 11, 1992, he threw a grenade inside a store which exploded wounding six people. He escaped immediately after the incident.
A criminal complaint for multiple frustrated murder was filed against him by the then duty investigator and a warrant of arrest was issued by Judge Segundo B. Catral of Regional Trial Court Branch 14.
While at large, Humiwat, on April 12, 2001 attempted to kill and assault a person in authority at Nayon, Lamut, this province. A criminal case was filed on Nov. 12, 2001, and an alias warrant of arrest was issued by Judge Fernando V. Flor.
As one of the top most wanted in the national level, a P140,000 reward has been offered by the Philippine National Police to whoever could point to the whereabouts of Humiwat.
Ifugao Police Provincial Director Col. David D. Mariano lauded the team for the successful arrest of Humiwat.
“This accomplishment could not have been realized if not for the untiring efforts and quick action of our operatives in performing their sworn duty with emphasis on the participation and trust of the community in providing reliable information for the fulfillment of this endeavor. Rest assured that Ifugao PNP with the continuous support of the community will do its best not only in the arrest of wanted persons but for the attainment of a safer and peaceful Ifugao,” Mariano said. – Press release
April 19, 2024
