31/10/2026
NO BORDERS TO LAWFUL ACCOUNTABILITY: FRENCH NATIONAL WANTED OVER ALLEGED CRIMES AGAINST MINORS ARRESTED IN CEBU
Reinforcing the Philippines' commitment to international law enforcement cooperation, the Philippine National Police (PNP), under the leadership of Chief PNP Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., has successfully arrested a French national wanted by judicial authorities in France over alleged sexual offenses involving minors.
The foreign national was arrested during a coordinated operation conducted on October 29, 2026, in Barangay Panalipan, Catmon, Cebu. The operation involved personnel of the Catmon Municipal Police Station, Police Intelligence Unit of Cebu Police Provincial Office, Regional Intelligence Division 7, Naval Forces Central, Naval Forces Central Cebu, and the Bureau of Immigration's Fugitive Search Unit.
The arrest was carried out pursuant to a warrant issued by the Tribunal Judiciaire de Montauban, France, on March 28, 2024, in connection with alleged offenses involving minors under the French Penal Code. Following the operation, the arrested foreign national was placed under the custody of the Bureau of Immigration's Fugitive Search Unit for appropriate legal and immigration proceedings.
Chief PNP Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. underscored the importance of close coordination among law enforcement agencies, particularly when cases involve individuals sought by foreign authorities.
“Ang batas ay hindi natatapos sa hangganan ng isang bansa. When there is a lawful request and proper legal basis, we must work with our international partners to ensure that appropriate processes are carried out. Our country must never become a place where individuals can evade accountability simply by crossing borders,” PGen Nartatez said.
He further underscored that every operation must be guided by verified information, proper coordination, and respect for the rights of all persons involved.
The operation demonstrates the PNP's continuing efforts to strengthen intelligence-driven policing and inter-agency cooperation under the Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO) component of its Focused Agenda. These initiatives support the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in advancing public safety, strengthening the rule of law, and maintaining the country's standing as a responsible partner in international law enforcement.
Through sustained cooperation and accountable police service, the PNP remains committed to ensuring that lawful processes are upheld and that its mandate to protect the public is carried out with integrity, in keeping with its vision of Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat at Nararamdaman.
(PNP-PIO)