ZAMBOANGA. Lawmen have arrested the fifth most wanted person at the municipal level in connection with the gun slaying of a government employee during a law enforcement operation on May 20, 2026, in Sunrise Village, Isabela City, Basilan.
Arrest of Top Fugitive
Police Lieutenant Colonel Wilfredo Palamos Jr., Isabela City police chief, identified the arrested suspect as Joel Abella, also known as Jow, 49, a resident of Lanote Village. Abella was taken into custody by the tracker and intelligence team of the Isabela City Police Station at 5:59 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, in Sunrise Village.
Palamos stated that Abella, listed as the top most wanted person at the municipal level, has standing warrants of arrest for murder and frustrated murder. The arrest resulted from relentless investigative efforts, including witness accounts, intelligence gathering, and analysis of closed-circuit television footage that tracked the suspect's movements before and after the shooting incident.
Details of the Crime
Carliecel Nuena, an employee of the Isabela City Mayor's Office-Records Division, was on her way to work when she was shot and killed on Wednesday, May 20, in Sunrise Village. Initial investigation indicates that Abella is allegedly linked to previous shooting incidents involving relatives of Nuena's family several days earlier.
On May 14, Karen Resurreccion, 48, a relative of Nuena and also an Isabela City government employee, was killed while her husband, Nelson, 50, was wounded in a gun attack in Lanote Village. The couple was riding a motorcycle on their way home when an unidentified gunman shot them. On May 10, another relative, Gilbert Toldeo, was shot and killed in Lanote Village after fetching a friend home on a motorcycle.
Palamos said authorities are now exploring a possible family-related conflict as one of the motives behind the incidents. Abella is currently detained at the Isabela City Police Station while further investigation and legal proceedings continue.
Officials' Statements
Isabela City Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman welcomed the development and emphasized the need for unity and vigilance in restoring peace and security in the city. 'This arrest is a significant step in our continuing effort to bring justice to the victims and their families. We commend our law enforcement agencies for their swift action and dedication,' Hataman said in a statement. 'We assure our people that the city government will continue working closely with all security sectors to ensure the safety of every resident of Isabela City,' she added.
Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman said that authorities will remain relentless in pursuing individuals responsible for violence and criminal acts. 'Peace and order remain our top priority. We will not allow fear and violence to prevail in our communities,' the governor said. He commended the security forces for their immediate action and called on the public to continue cooperating with authorities as they pursue justice and maintain peace across Basilan province.
