ILOILO – Accused of raping his niece 12 times, a 57-year-old man was caught in Barangay Tabucan, Calinog yesterday.
Warlito Celeste, a resident of the village, was this province’s Top 4 most wanted person.
According to Police Captain Dadjie Delima, Calinog police chief, the rape happened in January 2017. The niece was 10 years old then.
“The suspect had been threatening the victim he would harm her or her family if she reveals anything,” Delima said.
The last rape was committed on Jan. 23, 2017, said Delima. The girl told her family four days later.
A complaint was immediately filed but the arrest warrant was handed down just this May 27, 2021.
Celeste neither confirmed nor denied the charge but said he would face the charges.
Celeste was detained at the Calinog police station. Judge Gemalyn Faunillo-Tarrol of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 76 (Janiuay, Iloilo) denied him bail./PN
