Vendor arrested for rape, lasciviousness charges in Iloilo

By Jennifer P. Rendon

An ambulant vendor was arrested on the afternoon of Nov. 15 after he was charged with allegedly sexually molesting a teenage girl in Iloilo province.

The suspect, alias Janjan, 30, a resident of Tigbauan, was arrested in a manhunt operation conducted by the Tigbauan Municipal Police Station.

Police served an arrest warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 72 in Guimbal, Iloilo, on Nov. 12, 2025. The charges include statutory rape under Article 266-A(1)(d) of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, in relation to Republic Act 7610, and acts of lasciviousness under Article 336 of the Revised Penal Code.

No bail was recommended for the statutory rape charge, while bail for the acts of lasciviousness case was set at PHP 200,000.

The suspect is listed as the eighth most wanted person in Iloilo province.

Captain Alfred Mansoy, Tigbauan police chief, said the suspect did not resist arrest.

The suspect claimed there had been initial discussions for a possible settlement with the complainant’s family.

“That’s why he claimed he was surprised when a warrant of arrest was issued against him,” Mansoy said.

A 15-year-old girl, who is reportedly related to the suspect, accused him of raping her in November 2024.

The suspect is now in police custody pending further legal proceedings.