BACOLOD City — Police arrested a 20-year-old man listed as the No. 9 Regional Most Wanted Person in the Negros Island Region for statutory rape during a manhunt operation in Barangay Poblacion West, Candoni, Negros Occidental, on October 12.
The suspect, identified only as alias “Ron,” a resident of Gawad Kalinga in the said barangay, was arrested by personnel of the Candoni Municipal Police Station, with support from the Regional Intelligence Unit and the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office.
Police said the arrest was carried out by virtue of a warrant for statutory rape under Article 266-A of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act 8353, or the Anti-Rape Law of 1997, and Republic Act 11648, which raised the age of sexual consent to 16. The court recommended no bail for the offense.
According to police, the suspect and the minor victim were friends. He allegedly invited the victim to his residence and picked her up on his motorcycle.
While traveling, however, the suspect allegedly stopped at an abandoned house, forced the victim to enter the premises and sexually abused her.
The suspect is currently under the custody of the Candoni police for documentation and proper disposition, pending further legal proceedings.
Police Regional Office Negros Island Region Director Brig. Gen. Rudecindo L. Reales said the arrest demonstrated the police force’s continuing efforts to locate wanted individuals and ensure they face the charges against them through due process.
“We will not relent in pursuing wanted individuals and ensuring they face the charges against them,” Reales said, adding that the operation reflected the police force’s commitment to law enforcement and public safety.
Reales also commended the Candoni police for their dedication and professionalism in carrying out the operation./PN
