By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — A 27-year-old man listed as the No. 3 most wanted person at the city level in General Trias, Cavite, was arrested in Manila on Tuesday night over a rape case carrying a no-bail recommendation, police said.
The suspect, identified by police as Ace Pascua, was arrested at about 7:15 p.m. on August 11 along Muralla Street in Intramuros, following a joint operation by the Manila Police District’s Special Manila Reaction Team (SMaRT) and personnel of the General Trias City police.
Police said the arrest was carried out by virtue of a warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 131 in Trece Martires, Cavite, in connection with a rape case under Article 266-A of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act 8353.
The warrant was dated January 28, 2025, and carried a recommendation of no bail, according to the police report.
Investigators said the operation followed information provided by General Trias police personnel and subsequent intelligence work by SMaRT to determine the suspect’s whereabouts.
The joint team was led by PMAJ Tom Jay Fallar and PLT Ryan O. Valenzuela, under the supervision of PLTCOL Cicero M. Pura, chief of SMaRT, together with General Trias City police personnel headed by PLTCOL Archimedes Lara Baking.
Pascua was brought to the SMaRT office at about 8 p.m. for documentation and proper disposition.
Police said he was informed of his constitutional rights in Tagalog and invoked his right to remain silent.
Because a body-worn camera was unavailable during the operation, police said an alternative recording device was used to document the execution of the warrant, in accordance with the applicable Supreme Court rules governing the use of recording devices during warrant implementation.
The suspect will remain subject to court proceedings following the execution of the warrant.
ia/xf
