Two minors tagged in ‘gang rape’ nabbed

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Police have accounted all six persons allegedly involved in a gang rape in Isabela, Negros Occidental last year with the apprehension of two minors last Friday.

Captain Ar-jay Dangarang, town police chief, said the two suspects aged 17 were arrested separately in Barangay 4, through an arrest warrant for five counts of rape.

The arrest warrants with no bail recommended were issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 63 in La Carlota City on January 23, 2024.

Both minors were turned over to the custody of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO), according to Dangarang.

Their apprehension came days after three suspects aged 19, and another adult suspect were also arrested by police in the town the past weeks.

Two of the six suspects are among the most wanted persons (MWP) in Western Visayas, the provincial level, and the municipal level.

Dangarang said the incident happened in March 2023, victimizing a 16-year-old girl.

Meanwhile, a 64-year-old laborer wanted for three counts of rape and 12 counts of child abuse was arrested in Barangay Manlucahoc, Sipalay City last Saturday.

He was tagged as the top 8 MWP in the province.

The court has recommended no bail for his arrest for violation of Republic Act (RA) 8353 or The Anti-Rape Law of 1997.

For his arrest for violation of RA 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, the court recommended a P180,000 bail for each count.

The arrest warrants were issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 75 in Bago City, on October 20, 2023.