By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Capiz police arrested four individuals in separate operations this week for charges related to illegal drugs, rape, illegal recruitment, and document falsification.
In Sapian town, a construction worker was nabbed during a drug buy-bust operation on the evening of April 9 in Barangay Poblacion.
Police identified the suspect as Rictor Sabolbora, 42, a resident of the same barangay.
He was arrested around 7:44 p.m. after allegedly handing over a sachet of suspected shabu to an undercover officer.
Authorities recovered four sachets of suspected shabu, a belt bag, and PHP500 in marked money.
Police said Sabolbora is considered a high-value individual and is known locally for alleged involvement in illegal drug activity.
He is now in the custody of the Sapian Municipal Police Station and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
In a separate case, police arrested a man wanted for qualified rape by sexual assault and acts of lasciviousness in Sigma, Capiz.
The suspect, identified as Joe Bert Blanco Aldea, was apprehended on April 6 after a warrant of arrest was served.
His location was traced through a tipster, who is set to receive a PHP50,000 reward from Sigma Mayor Dante Rizal Eslabon.
The reward will be handed over in the presence of municipal officials and Sigma police chief Capt. Mark Anthony Garcia.
A similar reward was previously given to another tipster who helped police arrest a rape suspect in Cebu.
The Sangguniang Bayan of Sigma passed an ordinance in 2023 granting PHP50,000 to anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest of rape suspects.
“This reward system has been very effective in helping us arrest suspects,” said Mayor Eslabon.
Meanwhile, in Roxas City, a 55-year-old woman was arrested on April 8 in Pueblo de Panay, Barangay Lawaan-an for illegal recruitment.
The suspect, alias “Gen,” is a resident of Barangay Tico, Panay, Capiz.
She was apprehended based on a warrant issued by Judge Maria Florencia Barilla Formes of Regional Trial Court Branch 34 in Calamba City, Laguna.
The court recommended bail at PHP24,000 for her temporary liberty.
She is currently in police custody pending further legal proceedings.
In another case, a 36-year-old woman identified as alias “Mare” was arrested in Barangay Poblacion, Dumalag, Capiz on April 7.
She was wanted for falsification of private documents.
The arrest was made based on a warrant issued by Judge Bihmie Michiko Custodio Gacad-Presto of Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 5 in Manila.
The suspect posted PHP36,000 bail and was released from police custody.
