By Jennifer P. Rendon
A jobless man accused of rape was arrested on the afternoon of Nov. 12 in Bingawan, Iloilo.
Police identified the suspect as “Rudy,” 39, who was apprehended at his home in Barangay Ngingi-an, Bingawan.
Members of the Bingawan Municipal Police Station, along with personnel from the Iloilo Police Provincial Office’s Provincial Intelligence Unit (IPPO-PIU) and the 62nd Special Action Company of the PNP Special Action Force, arrested the suspect by virtue of an arrest warrant for three counts of rape by carnal knowledge.
These charges are filed under Criminal Case Nos. 23-1601, 23-1604, and 23-1605.
The suspect also faces charges for two counts of rape through sexual assault in relation to Republic Act 7610, also known as the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.
These cases are filed under Criminal Case Nos. 23-1602 and 23-1603.
Judge Redentor Eugenio Esperanza of Regional Trial Court Branch 76 in Janiuay, Iloilo, issued the arrest warrant on April 25, 2023.
No bail was set for the rape by carnal knowledge cases, while bail for the sexual assault charges was set at PHP 120,000 each.
Lieutenant Philip Girao, Bingawan police chief, said the suspect is the fifth most wanted person in Western Visayas.
Girao added that the complainant was a minor at the time of the alleged molestation.
Rudy is now detained and will be turned over to the appropriate court.
