American priest accused of rape arrested in Biliran

An American priest was arrested in Biliran on Wednesday by operatives from the US Homeland Security and the Philippine Bureau of Immigration over alleged charges of rape, according to John Consulta's exclusive report on Balitanghali.

The suspect was identified as Fr. Kenneth Bernard Hendricks, 78, who has been serving a church in Biliran for five decades already.

Hendricks is accused of sexually molesting and raping over 50 victims, most of them sacristans, some as young as 7 years old.

Interviewed by GMA News, Hendricks noted his close ties with the community in Biliran and that his arrest makes him sad.

Some patrons of the church became emotional when they bid farewell to the arrested priest.

After the arrest, Hendricks was brought by the authorities to Biliran Provincial Hospital for a medical check-up. —Dona Magsino/KBK, GMA News