THE Southern Police District (SPD) arrested a most wanted fugitive at a fast-food restaurant in Makati City on Friday evening in a cyber-led entrapment operation.

At about 9 p.m., police operatives captured the 25-year-old suspect alias "Katong," a known member of the Sputnik Gang, at the Jollibee branch located inside Shell Station at the corner of EDSA and Buendia Avenue in Barangay Urdaneta.

Katong was eighth on the SPD's District-Level Top Most Wanted Persons list and No. 6 on the Taguig City Police Station's list for the first quarter of 2025.

The arrest was the result of an advanced surveillance and behavioral profiling campaign led by the SPD's Cyber Patroller and Tracker Team (CPTT). By leveraging open-source intelligence and social media infiltration, authorities digitally traced Katong's movements and online interactions, successfully confirming his identity despite his efforts to hide it.

Using a covert digital persona, one operative established contact with the suspect, eventually convincing him to meet for a casual dinner — unaware that it was a prearranged sting operation.

Following confirmation of the suspect's identity and location, the CPTT coordinated with several specialized units, including the District Special Operations Unit (DSOU), District Intelligence Division (DID), District Mobile Force Battalion (DMFB), and the Warrant and Subpoena Section of Taguig City Police Station. The operation was carried out under the supervision of Col. Ricardo Punzalan, SPD's chief of directorial staff.

Katong was arrested by virtue of a warrant for frustrated murder under Criminal Case 4745, issued by Judge Marivic Villareal of Regional Trial Court Branch 266, Taguig City. The court had set bail at P200,000.

During the arrest, officers observed proper protocol, informing the accused of his constitutional rights. He declined to speak and was taken to the DSOU-SPD office for processing. Initial investigations confirmed Katong's active role in the Sputnik Gang and his involvement in drug operations across Taguig and Makati.

Brig. Gen. Joseph Arguelles, acting district director of the SPD, lauded the operation as a milestone in cybercrime enforcement.

"This operation stands as a benchmark of modern law enforcement, where digital tracking meets operational precision. Our Cyber Patroller and Tracker Team, alongside the DSOU, DID, DMFB, and Taguig's Warrant and Subpoena Section, showed remarkable coordination and discipline. Their efforts did not only lead to the capture of a dangerous criminal but also demonstrated our commitment to justice across both physical and digital landscapes," Arguelles said.

The SPD vowed to continue strengthening its digital capabilities to outpace criminal elements and ensure public safety throughout the National Capital Region.