4 months ago
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CEBU CITY — After months of evading capture, the ninth most wanted person in Central Visayas has been ar-rested.
Jephosin Zusubrado Cantunao, a 30-year-old construction worker from Toledo City, was taken into cus-tody on Jan. 23 in Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Bangkal, Lapu-Lapu City, following a manhunt by the Crimi-nal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Lapu-Lapu City Field Unit.
The arrest was made after CIDG operatives acted on an arrest warrant issued by Judge Chaunsey Torejas Boholst of Regional Trial Court 7 Branch 18, Cebu City, in connection to the 2024 homicide of 25-year-old ex-convict Rico Oquiño.
Cantunao had been in hiding since the deadly attack but authorities were able to track his movements af-ter receiving vital information.
Although initially, CIDG agents had targeted Cantunao's residence in Barangay Matab-ang, Toledo City, they were informed that he had relocated.
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Intelligence reports revealed that Cantunao had moved to Barangay Canduman in Mandaue City, where he was working as a school bus driver.
CIDG personnel visited the private school where he was employed and, with the help of school security, gathered information leading to his capture at 12:05 p.m.
Cantunao's arrest is part of CIDG's "Oplan Pagtugis," a nationwide operation focusing on apprehending high-priority fugitives.
The CIDG's relentless pursuit of Cantunao, combined with their strategic approach and use of a tracker team, culminated in a successful operation.
Cantunao is accused of killing Oquiño in Sitio Upper Puti, Barangay Buhisan, Cebu City, on Aug. 27, 2024. The killing is believed to have been sparked by jealousy, as Cantunao's former partner, Jarisa Bi-asong, had allegedly started a relationship with Oquiño.
Authorities claim that Cantunao had threatened to kill Oquiño multiple times before the fatal confronta-tion. On the night of the crime, Cantunao went to Biasong's house to provide support for their child, but a heated argument between him and Oquiño broke out.
Cantunao left the house but returned with a bolo, and the confrontation escalated into violence, with Cantunao fatally slashing Oquiño's neck.
Following the murder, Cantunao went into hiding and failed to return to Biasong's home. He was later charged with homicide by the Labangon Police Station.
