Western Visayas’ Most Wanted Man Arrested in Davao

By Jennifer P. Rendon

One of Western Visayas’ most wanted individuals was arrested in Davao Oriental on the afternoon of March 5.

The suspect, identified as alias Jesenel, a resident of Barangay San Francisco, Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, was apprehended in Barangay Poblacion, Cateel, Davao Oriental.

Members of the Barotac Viejo Municipal Police Station, in coordination with Cateel Municipal Police Station and the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) in Cotabato City, arrested Jesenel for the crime of rape under Criminal Case Number 2021-9827.

Judge Jose Mauricio Gomez of the Regional Trial Court Branch 71 in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, issued the arrest warrant on March 16, 2021.

No bail was recommended for the suspect’s temporary liberty.

Jesenel is listed as Western Visayas’ fifth most wanted person.

Major Ciriaco Esquilarga, Barotac Viejo police chief, said Jesenel fled Iloilo province after being accused of raping a minor on Feb. 24, 2017.

The suspect claimed during police questioning that the complainant was his girlfriend and denied forcing himself on her.

However, the girl’s family filed a case against him, allegedly after he failed to meet their demands.

Jesenel alleged that the complainant’s family sought a settlement of ₱200,000 in cash and requested his family to send the girl’s sibling to school.

While Jesenel said his family could fulfill the latter demand, they could not raise the ₱200,000.

After the case was filed, Jesenel fled to Davao, seeking refuge with his father’s relatives in Davao Oriental.

There, he met his current live-in partner, with whom he now has two children.

Esquilarga said the suspect worked as a tricycle driver and assisted in his partner’s family’s small business.

Jesenel is currently detained and will be turned over to the court for further legal proceedings.