Two minors nabbed for rape charges

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Two minors were arrested for allegedly taking turns in molesting another minor last year.

Members of Sta. Barbara Municipal Police and the 1st Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company nabbed the two suspects morning of Jan 10, 2023.

The 16-year-old boy was collared around 8:20 a.m. at Railway Street, Barangay Zone 5, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo.

Ten minutes later, the 17-year-old suspect was apprehended at Merlo Street in Barangay Zone 2, Sta. Barbara.

Both suspects are on the town’s most wanted list.

The two suspects were charged for rape by sexual assault under Article 266-A (Paragraph 2 of the Revised Penal Code as amended) and rape under Article 266-A, (Paragraph 1 in relation to Article 266-B of the RPC) as amended by Republic Act 8353. The cases were docketed as Criminal Case Numbers 22-88260 and 22-88263, respectively.

Judge Regina Centenera Galang-Guarin of the Regional Trial Court Branch 30 in Iloilo City issued the arrest warrant on Jan. 9, 2023.

No bail was recommended for the rape case while a P120,000 bail was set for the rape by sexual assault case.

Major Jose Rey Pabalan, Sta. Barbara police chief, said a lone complainant accused the two arrested suspects and their other teenage friend.

“The third suspect was immediately able to post bail because he was accused of a bailable offense,” Pabalan said.

The two suspects were already turned over to the custody of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.