DAVAO CITY — Former Dinagat Islands Congressman Ruben Ecleo Jr., and “supreme master” of religious group Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association, was arrested on Thursday.
Ecleo Jr., 60, used an alias Manuel Riberal in the place where he was hiding. He was arrested in Lot 6, Block 8 Orosa Diamond Subdivision in Balibago Angeles City.
The PNP said Ecleo was arrested with his driver Benjie Relacion Fernan, and both are now in police custody at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City for investigation.
Ecleo went on hiding for years after he was convicted of graft and murder of his wife Alona.
The fugitive former congressman was considered the no. 1 most wanted by the authorities.
He used to serve as mayor of the Municipality of Dinagat, Surigao del Norte from 1963 up to 1987.
The Eceleos used to be the most powerful clan in Dinagat Island when former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. ushered them the ladder to fame in the ’70s and recognized his influence.
Ecleo was sentenced to life in prison in 2012 for killing his wife in Cebu, but authorities failed to arrest him.
A P2 million reward was offered for Ecleo’s arrest, however, no information has been released on who would receive the reward.-Newsline.ph
