A 60-year-old man accused of molesting a nine-year-old girl in Kabacan, Cotabato was arrested.

Authorities identified the suspect as a resident of Barangay Magatos.

According to the Kabacan town police, the suspect was arrested around 3:50 p.m. on Monday, July 6, 2026, after a resident reported seeing him carrying a firearm.

Police seized a caliber .38 revolver and a sachet containing suspected shabu from the suspect.

Based on investigation, the suspect was also allegedly responsible for molesting a girl at an inn in the same town on Friday, July 3, 2026.

He was identified through an identification card he reportedly left behind at the inn, and police said he allegedly admitted to being the man in the ID card.

CCTV footage from an inn showed the man bringing the young girl into a room. Moments later, the girl ran out of the room, followed by the man.

According to the girl’s mother, her child was supposedly on her way home from school when the incident happened.

Accordingly, the man allegedly approached the girl and offered to help carry her belongings but instead brought her to an inn. Inside the room, the man allegedly kissed the child on the face, prompting the victim to push him away and run.

The suspect allegedly told the cashier that the child was his daughter in order to gain access to the establishment.

The suspect will face charges for alleged violations of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act (RA 10591), the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (RA 9165), and child abuse laws.

Meanwhile, police are investigating whether the inn may be held liable for allowing the suspect and the minor to enter its establishment.

“Imbestigahan natin kasama ang Local Government Unit kung may mga lapses sila doon sa nangyari. Pwede ang LGU will recommend for the closure or preventive suspension ng permit nila,” Kabacan Municipal Police Station Chief, Lt. Col. April Lou Palma, said.