IN a predawn raid on September 25, joint police operatives arrested one of Pangasinan’s Most Wanted Man, Arnulfo Cerezo Alipio, also known as “Anong,” in Binmaley town, who had been in hiding for over four years.

Alipio faced warrants of arrest for two counts of murder (with no recommended bail bond), one count of frustrated murder (with a recommended bail bond of P200,000), and three counts of attempted murder (with recommended bail bonds of P120,000 each).

The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the 2019 ambush of former Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino Jr., who sustained injuries during the attack, while his driver and a bodyguard lost their lives.

Alipio, a former Binmaley councilor, had a reward of P335,000 for his capture, either dead or alive, as per Memorandum Circular 2021-120 from the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

After his arrest, he underwent medical and physical examination at the Lingayen District Hospital before being processed at the Binmaley Police Station.

Alipio had been in hiding in Metro Manila, and occasionally visited Pangasinan while eluding authorities. His capture marks the final apprehension of almost all co-plotters and ambushers involved in the incident, some of whom died during the investigation.

He was a member of the private-armed group associated with the late former Second District Board Member Raul Sison, who passed away from COVID-19 in March 2020 while the investigation into the ambush plot was ongoing. (Leonardo Micua)

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