MANILA -- Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Anti Transnational Crime Unit (CIDG-ATCU) has arrested a barangay councilor candidate who turned out to be a wanted illegal recruiter Saturday night during a miting de avance in Tatalon, Quezon City.

The suspect, Alejandro Navarro, resisted arrest and ordered his driver to run over CIDG-ATCU and Intel division operatives.

CIDG-ATCU Chief Supt. Roque Merdegia Jr. said Navarro’s bodyguards, identified as Wilfredo Lico and Rolando Formanes, also exchanged punches with their operatives.

An operative ended up at the Philippine National Police General Hospital after sustaining injuries.

Authorities said Navarro had 40 standing arrest warrants issued by various courts nationwide for large-scale illegal recruitment and estafa.

In 2016, some 200 applicants filed a complaint against Navarro in Davao after he offered them jobs in New Zealand and Japan as farm and factory workers and promised them salaries ranging from P100,000 to P150,000.

Navarro used Bantayog Travel and Tours in Cavite and Pads Travel and Tours in Mother Ignacia, Quezon City to recruit workers.

Osmando Habilag, Jr., Navarro’s accomplice, who was first arrested by authorities, said he brought the P5 million he collected from the victims to Navarro.

Navarro will face various charges for resisting arrest, direct assault and obstruction of justice.