A fugitive who escaped from the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm almost three decades ago was arrested finally in Bataraza, Palawan ending more than 28 years of hiding.

In a Tuesday, December 9, 2025, report by Kenneth Calumris on Super Radyo Palawan, police arrested the 64-year-old fisherman during an operation in Barangay Marangas on December 4. He is originally from Hingutanan, Bohol but had been living in Barangay Rio Tuba, Bataraza.

Records showed he escaped from Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm on January 19, 1997. He had been convicted for homicide and robbery and managed to evade authorities for nearly three decades.

The operation was led by the Bataraza Municipal Police Station, with support from the Provincial Intelligence Unit, 3rd Platoon 1st PMFC, and personnel from BuCor–IPPF led by CO2 Richie Canja under the directive of IPPF Superintendent C/Supt. Gary A. Garcia.

Police said they arrested the fugitive after careful surveillance, coordination, and verification of information. He is now in police custody for proper processing before his return to the prison facility.