By Jennifer P. Rendon
A 66-year-old farmer was arrested for allegedly molesting a 7-year-old relative.
Members of Badiangan Municipal Police Station, together with Sta. Barbara PNP, collared alias Alex at his house in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo evening of Jan. 16.
Alex is the subject of an arrest warrant for five counts of rape by carnal knowledge docketed as Criminal Case Numbers 24-1987, 24-1988, 24-1989, 24-1990 and 24-1991.
Judge Gemalyn Faunillo-Tarol of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 76, Janiuay, Iloilo issued the arrest warrant on Jan. 10, 2024.
No bail was recommended for his temporary liberty.
Major Bonifacio Alabe Jr. said the suspect is the fourth most wanted man in Badiangan town and in Iloilo province.
The suspect, a former seafarer, resides in Sta. Barbara but has a farm in Badiangan where he also kept a nipa hut.
The alleged molestation happened in 2023.
The child’s relatives believed that the man lured the victim by giving her money.
The victim later said that the suspect had fondled him.
Alabe said Alex was subsequently charged with two counts of acts of lasciviousness.
But he was able to post bail.
“Unknown to him, the child claimed that the suspect also raped her several times. Thus, the filing of five counts of rape,” Alabe said.
Police believed that Alex did not go into hiding believing that he was only accused of a bailable offense.
Alex is now detained and will be turned to the court concerned for proper disposition of his case.
