Town councilor accused of rape surrenders

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A councilor-elect in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental who was accused of rape and five counts of acts of lasciviousness turned himself in to the authorities yesterday.

The 46-year-old town councilor, whose name was withheld, surrendered to Himamaylan City Mayor Raymund Tongson in Barangay Talaban around 11:40 a.m.

According to the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), the councilor was the 28th top most wanted person in the provincial level.

The arrest warrant for rape with no bail recommended was issued and signed by Acting Presiding Judge Eric Anthony Ateniao Dumpilo of Regional Trial Court 7 Branch 64 in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on October 15, 2021.

For the five counts of acts of lasciviousness, the arrest warrant was issued by Presiding Judge Ma. Lynette Salhay Eusebio of Municipal Circuit Trial Court in Isabela-Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, dated December 2, 2021.

The court has set a bail of P36,000 for each count.

The government official is now in the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Negros Occidental, according to Lieutenant Colonel Reynante Jomocan, Himamaylan City police chief.

Police, however, do not know the background of the cases.