Capiz ex-governor’s nephew wanted for rape surrenders

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — A nephew of former Capiz Gov. Esteban Evan “Nonoy” Contreras, who is wanted for rape, recently surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation in Iloilo City.

Esteban Ronilo Contreras, also known as EJ Contreras, showed up at the NBI office after nearly four years in hiding.

The suspect was accused of raping a female vlogger in November 2021.

On Nov. 26, 2021, the 30-year-old vlogger reported to the Pontevedra Police Station that she had been raped and identified the former governor’s nephew as the suspect.

But the former provincial chief executive also said his nephew denied raping the vlogger.

“Nag ininom sila kay ini sya daw may gusto sa akon gumangkon, may asawa na abi ang akon gumangkon…nag-ininom sila sa (campaign) headquarters sang akon hnabalos. Kay gab-i na, daw indi sya maghallin, amo na ang isa sa mga rason nga gintawgan ang isa ya ka barkada nga medrep and didto gindala sya sa beach kag didto padayon nag inom. Wala nakaupod ang akon gumangkon…,” he claimed.

The former governor also suspected the rape allegation could be politically motivated.

A son of the late Capiz 1st District board member and Pontevedra Mayor Steve Contreras, EJ Contreras is now under the custody of the Capiz Rehabilitation Center following his transfer there.

The Iloilo Prosecutor’s Office found probable cause for rape by carnal knowledge and rape by sexual assault.

The court recommended bail of PHP 120,000 for the rape-by-carnal-knowledge charge, while no bail was recommended for the rape-by-sexual-assault charge.