Teen in Capiz rape case surrenders to police

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A teenager accused of sexual molestation turned himself in to police authorities on the afternoon of August 18 in Pontevedra, Capiz.

The 18-year-old, known as “Ken,” a Grade 11 student from Barangay Tabuc, Pontevedra, Capiz, voluntarily went to the Pontevedra Municipal Police Station in Barangay Malag-it, Pontevedra, to check if there was an arrest warrant against him.

Major Greg Anthony Salbang, Pontevedra police chief, said they immediately checked the Philippine National Police’s e-warrant system.

The search confirmed that an arrest warrant had been issued against Ken for the crime of statutory rape under Paragraph (D), Article 266-A of the Revised Penal Code.

The arrest warrant was issued by Judge Barbara Aleli Hernandez-Briones of Branch 1C, National Capital Judicial Region, Caloocan City, on July 19, 2024.

Salbang noted that the suspect is the sixth most wanted person in Capiz province.

Ken neither confirmed nor denied the accusations against him, but he told police investigators that the incident occurred when he was still young.

Ken had been hiding at a relative’s house in Tapaz, Capiz, but left following a disagreement.

Salbang said they have already coordinated with the Caloocan police regarding the suspect’s disposition.