Aklan’s top human trafficking suspect falls in Navotas

NABBED. Authorities arrest Catherine Tandas, a human trafficking suspect included in Aklan’s most wanted list, in Navotas City on Wednesday (Oct. 7, 2020). Tandas has an outstanding warrant of arrest issued by Kalibo, Aklan Regional Trial Court Branch 7 in 2018 for charges of human trafficking with no bail recommended. (Photo courtesy of PNP-AKG via PNA)

MANILA – A woman included in the most wanted persons’ list in Aklan was arrested in Navotas City, the Philippine National Police-Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP AKG) said on Thursday.

AKG spokesperson Maj. Ronaldo Lumactod identified the suspect as Catherine Tandas, Aklan’s top 9 most wanted person. She was arrested in Barangay Tangos on Wednesday.

Tandas is the subject of a warrant of arrest issued by the Kalibo Regional Trial Court Branch 7 in January 2018 for charges of human trafficking with no bail recommended.

“The PNP AKG proved once again that the long arms of the law still exist. It was the group’s vast experience in dealing with criminality that made things possible,” Lumactod said.

He said the modus operandi of the suspect started in 2015 where she lures her victims from President Roxas, Capiz, and Iloilo province with a promise that they would get legitimate jobs.

However, the victims allegedly were brought to beerhouses where they ended up as sex slaves.

Tandas was brought to the AKG office in Camp Crame for booking procedures and interrogation prior to her turnover to the court.