Man nabbed for rape plaint

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 22-year-old bicycle mechanic accused of rape was arrested evening of Jan. 24 in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

Joey (real name withheld), a resident of Barangay Bakhaw, Mandurriao, was cycling along Barangay San Rafael when police cornered him.

Captain Val Cambel, Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) said Joey is the subject of an arrest warrant for statutory rape in Criminal Case 23-89975.

Judge Nelson Jiz Bartolome of the Regional Trial Court (RTC)-6 Branch 32, Iloilo City, issued the warrant on Nov. 6, 2023.

No bail was recommended for his temporary liberty.

Joey is ranked as the seventh most wanted person in Western Visayas.

Cambel said the suspect was accused of raping a 15-year-old girl.

But Joey claimed there was no rape since the complainant was his girlfriend.

The suspect left Bakhaw when his warrant of arrest was issued.

But police later learned that he was staying in another village in Mandurriao district.

It took policemen several days before locating him.

Joey is now detained.