Construction worker wanted for rape arrested after six years

A construction worker wanted for rape in Naval, Biliran, was arrested after hiding in Metro Manila for six years. 

According to James Agustin’s report on “24 Oras” on Friday, the 42-year-old suspect was located by the law enforcement in his workplace in Barangay Bagbag in Novaliches, Quezon City. 

“Tinap po natin ang ating tracker team at nung tingnan, nalaman na kasalukuyan ay nagtatrabaho siya sa isang construction site. So nung chineck natin sa construction, na-confirm natin na siya ay may warrant of arrest,” said Eastwood Police Station Commander Police Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Francis Siriban.

(We deployed our tracker team, and when they checked, they found out that he is currently working at a construction site. So when we checked the construction site, we confirmed that he has a warrant of arrest.) 

Investigation showed that the then 19-year-old victim filed a case against the suspect in 2019. The court issued the arrest warrant against the suspect in July 2020. 

“Nung kinasuhan daw siya, umalis na siya sa Biliran. Pumunta na siya dito, nagtrabaho sa construction companies. Ang mga construction kasi walang hinihinging police clearance,” said Siriban. 

(When he was charged, he left Biliran. He came here and worked for several construction companies. Construction companies don't usually ask for a police clearance.) 

The suspect, who is number one on the most wanted persons list of the Eastwood Police Station, claimed that he and the victim were in a relationship and have a child. 

“Nag-uusap naman po kami ng babae. Pero parang sinakyan lang ng politika ‘yan…Parang pinilit lang yung babae na kasuhan ako…Mag-jowa naman po kami,” the suspect said. 

(The woman and I were in communication, but it seems like politics was just involved in that... It seems like the woman was just forced to file a case against me... We were in a relationship.) 

The police are just waiting for a commitment order from the court. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/VBL, GMA Integrated News