Most wanted man falls over string of sexual molestation raps

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 26-year-old man facing a string of sexual molestation charges was arrested early morning of April 1, 2023 in northern Iloilo.

Henry (not his real name) was about to leave their home in San Rafael when police collared him.

Members of San Rafael Municipal Police Station, together with personnel from San Enrique, Lemery, and Cabatuan police stations and the 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company, apprehended the suspect by virtue of an arrest warrant for four counts of rape by carnal knowledge and acts of lasciviousness in relation to Section 5 of Republic Act 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act).

Judge Mauricio Gomez of the 6th Regional Trial Court Branch 71, Barotac Viejo, Iloilo issued the arrest warrants on March 9, 2023.

No bail was recommended for his temporary liberty.

Apart from being San Rafael’s most wanted man, Henry is also the second most wanted person in Iloilo province.

Lieutenant Gener Buena, San Rafael police chief, said the complainant was several days shy of her 18th birthday when the sexual abuse happened on July 2022.

“They know each other. But the complainant claimed that the incidents were done against her will,” he added.

After the cases were filed, the suspect left the place and had been monitored to be staying in Anilao town and Dumarao, Capiz.

But prior to his arrest, police received information that he went home early morning of Saturday to visit his mother and planned to leave a few hours later.

Buena said that the suspect had also been accused of rape but the case was settled.