Cebu rape suspect nabbed in Manila port

A 37-year-old rape suspect was collared by cops on Tuesday morning at a port in Manila after days of being on the run. 

The suspect reportedly fled from Cebu City where he allegedly raped an 11-year-old girl on March 7, moving from different places in the Visayas before finding a way to travel to Manila by sea. 

But his plan to hide in Metro Manila went for naught when authorities got wind of his movement, and carried out the arrest after the suspect disembarked from a passenger ship at Pier 4 in Manila. 

“So, with the coordination sa Philippine Coast Guard, nakita sa passenger manifest na meron siyang travel from Bacolod City to Pier 4 sa Manila kaya naabangan pagbaba,” CIDG-NCR chief Police Colonel John Guiagui said. 

(With coordination from the Philippine Coast Guard, we saw from the passenger manifest that (the suspect) was travelling from Bacolod City to Pier 4 in Manila ... that's why he was monitored the moment he disembarked.)

Based on police investigation, the suspect, a “habal-habal” rider, deceitfully gained the trust of the hapless victim by giving her small amounts of money ranging from P50 to P200. 

“Magkapitbahay sila. So, lagi niya binibigyan yung bata and the last nangyari is P200 yung binigay,” according to Guiagui. 

(They were neighbors. He always gives her money, the last of which amounted to P200.)

The victim remains confined at a hospital, the police said. 

The suspect was expected to be transported back to Cebu City where he faces charges for violation of Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. 

He declined to comment when asked by the media for his side of story.  — RSJ, GMA Integrated News