Three most wanted rape suspects nabbed in Western Visayas

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Three individuals listed among Western Visayas’ most wanted persons were separately arrested in recent police operations.

While apprehended in different locations, all suspects face similar charges of rape.

The fugitives were identified only by their aliases: Mark, 21, of Barangay Cabalagnan, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras; Jake, 44, of Dumalag, Capiz; and Toto of Tapaz, Capiz.

A joint police operation arrested Mark on Oct. 6 at Barangay Colongcolong, Ibajay, Aklan.

The suspect is accused of five counts of rape.

He was reportedly in Ibajay at the time of his arrest.

Mark was listed as the third most wanted person in Region 6 and second in the province of Guimaras.

Meanwhile, alias Toto was arrested in Tapaz town on the morning of Oct. 7.

Members of the Tapaz Municipal Police Station, together with the PNP Regional Intelligence Division 6, Capiz Police Provincial Office Tracker Team Bravo, Capiz Provincial Intelligence Unit, and the 2nd Capiz Provincial Mobile Force Company, arrested him by virtue of a warrant for four counts of qualified rape.

A court in Mambusao, Capiz issued the arrest warrant on Oct. 6, 2025.

No bail was recommended for his temporary liberty.

Toto was tagged as the fifth most wanted person in Western Visayas.

On the other hand, members of the Dumalag Municipal Police Station, along with the Capiz PPO Tracker Team and 2nd Capiz Provincial Mobile Force Company, arrested Jake on the evening of Oct. 7 at Barangay Poblacion, Dumalag.

He is also facing four counts of qualified rape.

Jake is listed as the fourth most wanted person in Western Visayas.

Brigadier General Josefino Ligan, Western Visayas police chief, praised the operating units for the successful arrest of the three suspects.

“The arrest of these fugitives is a major step toward upholding peace and order in the region,” Ligan said.

He added that the arrests send a clear message that police will leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of criminals who pose a threat to public safety.