Philippines – A woman tagged as one of Kalinga’s most wanted persons is now behind bars after police tracked her down over a string of criminal cases, including a scheme that duped a would-be overseas worker out of his hard-earned savings.
According to a press release from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the report on the arrest reached its Director, PMGEN Robert AA Morico II. The operation took place on June 25, 2026, at around 3:00 PM in Brgy. Junction, Pinukpuk, Kalinga.
The Manhunt and the Suspect
The CIDG Apayao Provincial Field Unit, backed by the Regional Intelligence Unit 14 and local police, carried out the manhunt that led to the capture. The suspect, identified only as “Kara,” is a woman of legal age, originally from Gerona, Tarlac, and now living in Pinukpuk. She sat at Number 5 on Kalinga’s list of Provincial Most Wanted Persons.
She was arrested on the strength of eight warrants issued by courts in Quezon City, La Trinidad, Pasig City, Pampanga, and Batangas between 2023 and 2026. The charges include:
- Four warrants covering 26 counts of Violation of Batas Pambansa Blg. 22 (bouncing checks)
- Illegal Recruitment
- Estafa
- Violation of the New Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016 (RA 10883)
- Falsification of Public Documents under the Revised Penal Code
How the Job Scam Worked
For Filipinos chasing work abroad, this case hits close to home. Between April and May 2023, “Kara” allegedly promised a man in Pico, La Trinidad, Benguet, a job as an equipment operator in Malaysia. She claimed she could arrange his deployment and pocketed PHP 40,000 for supposed processing fees, a visa application, and a plane ticket.
After the money changed hands, she vanished. The victim could no longer reach her by phone or social media, and the promised job never came.
The man turned to the CIDG Benguet Provincial Field Unit for help. Investigators coordinated with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), which confirmed she held no license or authority to recruit workers for jobs overseas. That verification helped build the case that later produced her arrest warrant.
Police Praise the Field Units
The CIDG commended PLTCOL Brendon B Palisoc, Officer-in-Charge of Regional Field Unit 14, and PLT Bonigil G Marcelino of the Apayao unit for the arrest. Officials said her capture cut short her operations and spared other Filipinos from becoming her next victims.