After more than a year on the run, a regional Top 6 Most Wanted Person was arrested following a shootout with police in Sitio Maling, Barangay Babag, Cebu City, on the afternoon of December 22, 2025.
The suspect, identified as Melchor Macaraya, faced separate cases involving illegal drugs and firearms, including charges for violation of Section 11 of Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, and Section 28 of Republic Act 10591, the law regulating firearms and ammunition.
Police said the arrest operation escalated around 5:45 p.m. when Macaraya allegedly pulled out a gun and fired at officers.
Responding officers returned fire, hitting him in the lower part of his right leg.
The operation was conducted by the Regional Special Operations Unit 7 (RSPU 7) together with operatives from the Regional Intelligence Division 7, Cebu City Police units, and other support teams, acting on confirmed intelligence regarding Macaraya’s location.
Authorities were eventually able to subdue Macaraya and serve the warrants of arrest. A subsequent body search recovered two sachets of suspected shabu from his possession.
Police identified Macaraya as a High Value Individual who had long been under surveillance. Authorities also linked him to several violent incidents, including alleged killings, according to police records.
RSPU 7 chief PLTCOL Wilfredo T. Taran Jr. said Macaraya had been pursued since last year and had previously been the subject of police operations related to illegal drugs and firearms.
Taran added that the operation was launched after officers received real-time information confirming Macaraya’s presence, prompting them to immediately move in and serve the warrants.
During the same operation, police also arrested Macaraya’s brother, Gilbert Bonghanoy Macaraya, for violation of Section 11 of RA 9165. One sachet of suspected shabu was recovered from Gilbert, a resident of Barangay Bonbon, Cebu City.
Melchor was rushed to the Cebu City Medical Center for treatment.
Seized drug evidence was submitted to the PNP Crime Laboratory 7.
Authorities also recovered a .45 caliber pistol with four live rounds and empty shell casings at the scene, resulting in an additional illegal firearms charge against Melchor. (SBA)
