Bataan rape suspect arrested in Antique by joint police team

A man listed as the top 5 most wanted person in Pilar, Bataan for sexual assault was arrested by authorities in Barangay Linaban, Hamtic, Antique, shortly before 1 p.m. on August 6.

The suspect, identified by police as alias “Ferdie,” is a 55-year-old laborer originally from Pilar, Bataan.

He had been temporarily residing with his partner in Hamtic when he was tracked down and arrested.

Police operatives from the Hamtic Municipal Police Station, in coordination with the Pilar MPS and the Bataan Police Provincial Office, carried out the arrest based on a warrant issued by a regional court in Balanga City on August 4, 2025.

Ferdie is facing charges under Article 266-A (2) of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Republic Act 7610, which protects children against abuse, exploitation, and discrimination.

The court recommended bail at PHP200,000.

He is currently in the custody of Hamtic police pending legal procedures and will be turned over to the court that issued the arrest warrant.

The operation highlights the intensified coordination between police units across provincial boundaries in pursuing fugitives facing serious criminal charges.