Three Western Visayas most wanted rape suspects arrested in Antique

ILOILO CITY — Three men accused of raping a minor were arrested in separate operations in Culasi, Antique, on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026.

Police identified the suspects as alias “Ai-Ai,” 22; his brother, alias “Ar-Ar,” 32; and their relative, alias “Mar,” 25, all residents of Culasi.

Personnel of the Culasi Municipal Police Station, together with the 2nd Antique Provincial Mobile Force Company (APMFC), Antique Police Provincial Office-Provincial Intelligence Team (AnPPO-PIT) and Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU) 6, arrested the suspects on the strength of warrants for two counts of statutory rape through carnal knowledge.

Regional Trial Court Branch 13 in Culasi, Antique, issued the arrest warrants on Oct. 22, 2026.

The court did not recommend bail for the suspects’ temporary release.

Police arrested Ai-Ai, a fisherman, at around 11:55 a.m. Sunday.

Ar-Ar, also a fisherman, was arrested at 1:30 p.m., while Mar was apprehended at 2:15 p.m.

Police Maj. Paul Kenneth Magan, Culasi police chief, said Ai-Ai, Ar-Ar and Mar were ranked first, second and third, respectively, on the list of most wanted persons in Western Visayas.

Ai-Ai was also the most wanted person in Culasi and Antique province.

Magan said the case was filed against the suspects about two years ago.

The victim was 14 years old when the alleged rape occurred.

Under Republic Act 11648, enacted in 2022, the age threshold for statutory rape was raised from under 12 to under 16 years old, strengthening legal protection against sexual abuse and exploitation of minors.

Police said the suspects had left Culasi but were monitored returning to the municipality for the Undas observance.

Ai-Ai, Ar-Ar and Mar are now in police custody pending further legal proceedings.