Teen rape suspect arrested in Western Visayas

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 17-year-old boy accused of rape, identified as the second most wanted person in Western Visayas, surrendered to authorities on September 25 in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

The suspect, known only as “Boy,” from Barangay Bonifacio, Arevalo, Iloilo City, turned himself in more than a year after fleeing.

Members of the Iloilo City Police Station 5 (ICPS5) picked up the teen near their office on R. Mapa St., Barangay Oñate-de Leon.

They served him arrest warrants for rape by sexual assault and rape under Criminal Case Numbers 23-88790 and 23-88791.

Judge Nelson Jiz Bartolome of the Regional Trial Court-6 Branch 32 in Iloilo City issued the arrest warrants on April 24, 2023.

No bail was recommended for the rape charge, while bail was set at PHP120,000 for the rape by sexual assault case.

Capt. Joebert Amado, ICPS5 chief, said the alleged rape occurred in July 2022.

The suspect, then 15, was working at his uncle’s bar and tattoo shop in City Proper, Iloilo when he allegedly molested an intoxicated adult female customer.

After the case was filed, the suspect left Iloilo City but later expressed his intention to surrender.

The teen will be turned over to Balay Dalayunan in Bo. Obrero, Lapuz, Iloilo City.

In related news, the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) reported that 27 wanted persons were arrested during a 15-day manhunt from September 10 to 24.

This includes eight most wanted persons and 19 other wanted individuals.