Man nabbed for alleged rape of minor sister-in-law 

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Friday arrested a 32-year-old man, who is listed as among the most wanted persons of Region 12, for the alleged rape of his minor sister-in-law. 

According to the CIDG, the North Cotabato Provincial Field Unit arrested a certain “Joseph”  at Libungan, North Cotabato on August 20 by virtue of an arrest warrant for qualified statutory rape. 

“We cannot allow suspects of rape, most especially qualified statutory rape to roam around freely and victimize more minors,” CIDG acting director Police Brigadier General Christopher Abrahano said in a statement.

“With this arrest we helped the minor victim and her family attain the justice they deserve,” he added.

The CIDG said that Abrahano received a report that the man allegedly repeatedly sexually abused or raped his minor sister-in-law, now 16 years old, starting 2020.

It said that the sexual assault took place at the accused’s house, which was adjacent to the home of the victim.

“The child did not report the incidents of sexual abuse to anyone out of fear until the time that she could no longer bear the pain and trauma from the ordeal,” the CIDG said.

The CIDG said the mother and the victim reported the assault to the Libungan Municipal Police Station on September 22, 2024, leading to the filing of a complaint before the Provincial Prosecutor's Office on September 24.

In January 2025, a North Cotabato court issued an arrest warrant against the individual.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA Integrated News