By Jennifer P. Rendon
Two men in their 60s were arrested for rape charges.
Alias Kiko, 68, of Sibunag, Guimaras, and alias Mario, 67, of Carles, Iloilo were arrested in separate police operations on Feb. 8.
Police nabbed Kiko at his home in Sibunag town around 9:22 a.m. on Thursday.
Members of Sibunag Municipal Police Station, together with Guimaras Police Provincial Office – Provincial Intelligence Unit (GPPO-PIU), Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU) 6 and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) – Guimaras Field Unit, served to Kiko a bench warrant of arrest for rape by sexual assault (Article 266-A of the Revised Penal Code) docketed as Criminal Case No. 15-2278.
Regional Trial Court Judge Rosario Abigail M. Dris-Villanueva in San Miguel, Jordan, Guimaras issued the arrest warrant on Jan. 15, 2024.
No bail was recommended for his temporary liberty.
Colonel Rhea Santos, Guimaras police chief, said Kiko is the province’s second most wanted man.
He was accused of raping a 45-year-old lady neighbor on June 23, 2015.
The suspect allegedly sexually assaulted the victim as she was tending her cow in a secluded area in Sibunag.
The case was filed two days later.
Meanwhile, Mario was arrested at 11:42 a.m. Thursday in the town proper of Carles, Iloilo.
The 67-year-old fisherman was arrested by virtue of an arrest warrant for five counts of rape under Criminal Case Numbers 2023-11196 to 2023-11200.
Judge Oscar Leo A. Billena of the Regional Trial Court Branch 70, Barotac Viejo, Iloilo issued the arrest warrant on Sept. 25, 2023.
No bail was set for provisional freedom.
The suspect is the sixth most wanted person in Western Visayas.
Both suspects are now detained for the proper disposition of their case.
