Bounty raised for recapture of rape suspect in Negros

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – The E.B. Magalona Municipal Police Station in Negros Occidental is considering an increased cash reward for information leading to the recapture of a 58-year-old rape suspect who escaped from its custodial facility.

Police Capt. Markelly Laganipa, the station’s deputy chief, said a PHP 20,000 reward has initially been offered to locate the suspect known as “Bebeng,” a fisherman.

As of 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 10, the suspect remained at large.

The suspect, wanted for the qualified rape of a minor, was arrested on September 1 in Barangay Tuburan, where he resides.

Laganipa said authorities are still investigating how the escape occurred.

Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, director of the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), has ordered the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) to intensify efforts to recapture the suspect.

Police Lt. Col. Joem Malong, PRO-NIR spokesperson, said personnel from the Investigation and Intelligence Units of NOCPPO have been deployed to augment local forces and probe the circumstances behind the escape.

“PRO-NIR and NOCPPO immediately initiated a province-wide dragnet and manhunt operation to track down the escapee,” she said.

In response to the incident, PRO-NIR has tightened security protocols in all custodial facilities across the province and the wider region, including Bacolod City, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.

Ibay said the operation is under strict command oversight and continuous monitoring to ensure accountability and effective coordination among all involved units.

He stressed that corrective measures are already being implemented.

Ibay assured the public that all efforts are underway for the suspect’s swift recapture and urged citizens to stay vigilant and report any relevant information.