By Jennifer P. Rendon
A native of Antique province who was accused of rape was arrested January 18, 2021 in Novaliches, Quezon City.
Agustin Panganiban, 35, who hails from Pandan, Antique went into hiding 13 years ago.
Members of Pandan Municipal Police Station, Quezon City Police Station 8, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Metro Manila district field unit, and Antique
Police Provincial Office (AnPPO) collared the suspect at Danica Court, Barangay 129, Bagbag Kings Point, Novaliches.
Panganiban was accused of three counts of rape.
Judge Rafael Penuela of the Regional Trial Court Branch 13, Culasi, Antique, issued the arrest warrant with no bail.
Police accounts claimed that Panganiban first molested the victim after they both attended the birthday party of the suspect’s cousin on February 22, 2007.
Agustin reportedly convinced the victim to go home.
On their way home, Agustin held the victim’s left arm, dragged her to the ground, and pointed a knife and threatened her. He then sexually abused the victim.
The victim claimed the second incident happened 7AM of February 28, 2007.
She was alone in their house when the suspect allegedly molested her again.
The last incident took place on March 3, 2007 after the victim, together with her friends, gathered firewood at Sitio Tabungan, Barangay Fragante, Pandan.
The victim told investigators the suspect threatened her with a knife.
It wasn’t long before Panganiban left Antique and went into hiding for more than a decade.
The suspect is temporarily in the custody of the CIDG-Metro Manila district field unit.
