A murder suspect who evaded authorities for 16 years was arrested Friday in Oriental Mindoro province, police said yesterday.

Orlando Pionelo, 51, was arrested in Barangay Santa Isabel, Calapan City by agents from the MIMAROPA police intelligence unit, according to Brigadier General Roel Rodolfo, MIMAROPA police director.

Pionelo was wanted in connection with the November 2009 murder of Roland Besirio, a barangay captain in Panitan, Capiz province.

“The arrest was based on a warrant issued by Judge Juliana Azarraga of the Capiz Regional Trial Court Branch 15,” Rodolfo said in a statement.

No bail was recommended for the suspect’s temporary liberty.

During questioning, Pionelo told investigators he had been moving from place to place to avoid capture, according to police.

Mimaropa PNP has been intensifying operations against criminals on the run.

In June 2025, Oriental Mindoro’s top 7 most wanted person, alias “Prince,” 22, was apprehended in Barangay Agos, Gloria, Oriental Mindoro, along with seven other wanted individuals during a one-day anti-crime operation.

In December 2024, murder suspect Alvin Alvares, 28, was captured in his hiding place in Victoria municipality, Oriental Mindoro, after an extensive manhunt.

Police have also arrested other top fugitives including Roy Sidoro alias “Putot,” 37, who was captured in Oriental Mindoro.

In 2022, Joshua Asuncion, 31, the top four most wanted of San Jose town in Occidental Mindoro, was arrested on rape and child abuse charges.