2 rape suspects fall in Cavite
TWO most wanted rape suspects in Calabarzon region were arrested by agents of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in separate manhunt operations in Cavite, officials told the Journal Group yesterday.
Cavite CIDG Provincial Field Unit chief, Lieutenant Colonel Bryan Dexter Andulan identified the two as Jerome Rico,42; and Paulo Rafael dela Cruz,22.
The official said that Rico, a widower residing at no. 46-A Sampaguita Street, Phase 6 in Barangay Pasita, San Pedro City in Laguna was arrested in his hiding place in Bgy. Mambog V in Bacoor City in Cavite.
The suspect who has been tagged as the 5th most wanted person in Calabarzon region was arrested on the strength of a non-bailable warrant of arrest for rape issued by Judge Niven Canlapan of the Carmona, Cavite Regional Trial Court Branch 109.
Members of the CIDG Cavite PFU were assisted by operatives from the Cavite Provincial Mobile Force Company and the Provincial Highway Patrol Team in tracking down the suspect.
The CIDG Cavite PFU filed a criminal complaint for rape against the accused on October 19, 2021 following a complaint from a woman whom he sexually abused and impregnated.
“From the moment we filed the complaint and until the court issued a warrant for his arrest, we have been closely monitoring the whereabouts of the suspect,” Lt. Col. Andulan said.
On the other hand, dela Cruz, a resident of Block 19, Lot 22, Ridgecrest Subdivision in Bgy. Pasong Buaya II in Imus City was arrested on the basis of a warrant for two counts of rape issued by Judge Adeliza Magno-Gingoyon of the Imus City Family Court Branch 4 last March 21.
The suspect has been listed as the no. 1 most wanted person in Cavite prior to his arrest.
PNP-CIDG director, Major General Eliseo DC Cruz congratulated the Calabarzon CIDG for arresting the two wanted rape suspects even as he pressed his directive for all his regional units and other special operating units to further intensify their effort to account for all wanted persons in the country.
“We must ensure that we will account for all wanted persons. Don’t give them a good time to sleep and make sure they will pay for their crimes by putting them to jail,” the PNP-CIDG director said.
