Lawmen arrest 2 men wanted for murders

BAGUIO CITY – Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group arrested here two most wanted persons – one the top most wanted person in Ilocos region and the other, a murder-suspect American citizen.

CIDG operatives identified the suspect as Manuel Rivera, 43 of Bangar town in La Union and John Lawangan, 45 of Buguias town in Benguet.

Rivera, carrying a P140,000 bounty for his arrest, was facing multiple warrants of arrest for double murder and two murder cases.

He is a member of the notorious Maala Group.

Rivera was arrested afternoon of July 16 at Brookspoint, Aurora Hill in possession of an unlicensed Cal, 45 pistol and ammunition.

Meanwhile, Lawangan was arrested by virtue of a warrant issued by Judge Agapito Laoagan.

Lawangan, who is number 16 in the list of top most wanted person in Cordillera region, was the suspect in murder of American businessman Russel Gilles on April 10, 2010.

Lawangan was taken to La Trinidad, Benguet where he is currently detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology district jail.