By Jennifer P. Rendon
A woman accused of rape in Iloilo province was arrested on the morning of March 4 in Calatrava, Negros Occidental.
The suspect, identified only as “Leah,” 47, and a resident of Igbaras, Iloilo, was apprehended at a relative’s house in Sitio Cubay, Barangay Refugio, Calatrava, at around 8:35 a.m.
Members of the Igbaras Municipal Police Station, in coordination with personnel from the 2nd Mobile Platoon of the Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company and the Calatrava Municipal Police Station, carried out the arrest.
The operation was based on warrants issued for charges of Rape by Carnal Knowledge under Article 266-A (1) in relation to Article 266-B of the Revised Penal Code. The case is docketed under Criminal Case Number 3697.
Leah is also facing charges of Rape by Sexual Assault under Article 266-A, Paragraph 2 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act 8353, in relation to Republic Act 7610, also known as the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act. This case is docketed under Criminal Case Number 3698.
The arrest warrants were issued by Judge Irene Banzuelo-Didulo of RTC-6 Branch 67 in Guimbal, Iloilo, on April 26, 2022.
No bail was recommended for the rape charge, while a PHP 120,000 bail was set for the rape by sexual assault case.
Authorities revealed that Leah is the third most wanted person in Iloilo province.
Captain Francis Donne Lomahan, Miag-ao police chief, disclosed that the alleged crime occurred in 2021 and involved an underage girl as the complainant.
Lomahan added that Leah has a co-accused and was charged with rape for allegedly aiding in the sexual molestation acts.
After the incident, Leah reportedly fled Iloilo province and sought refuge in various areas, including Metro Manila and Negros Occidental, where her father’s relatives reside.
Lomahan stated that there were several previous attempts to arrest Leah, but she managed to evade capture by fleeing before police could apprehend her.
Leah is now detained and will be turned over to the court for legal proceedings.
