W. Visayas’ sixth most wanted man arrested on rape charges

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 43-year-old man, accused of rape, was arrested late in the morning of February 18 in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo. Members of the Sta. Barbara Municipal Police Station apprehended the suspect, known as alias Bryan, 43, in Barangay Zone II, Sta. Barbara.

The Sta. Barbara PNP personnel, in collaboration with members of the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) 6, PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group-Visayas Field Unit, Iloilo Police Provincial Office-Provincial Intelligence Unit (IPPO-PIU), and Maritime Police Station, executed the arrest. The suspect was detained under the authority of three counts of rape by carnal knowledge, as stated in Criminal Case Numbers 24-90866, 24-90867, and 24-90868.

Judge Elijo Sharon Ronzales Herrera-Bellones of the Regional Trial Court 6 (RTC-6) Branch 27, Iloilo City, issued the arrest warrants on February 12, 2024. No bail was set for the suspect’s temporary liberty.

The individual in question is listed as the sixth most wanted person in Western Visayas.

Major Jose Rey Pabalan, Sta. Barbara’s police chief, noted that the alleged rape incidents occurred in 2019.

The accusations were brought forward by a relative, who was 13 years old at the time of the incident, claiming that Bryan had sexually molested her. The suspect had managed to submit a counter-affidavit.

According to Pabalan, the suspect might have believed that the case against him was not active, which could explain why he did not attempt to flee.

Bryan is currently detained pending the proper disposition of his case.