2 senior citizens-turned most wanted suspects fall
POLICE Regional Office 5 (PRO5) director, Brigadier General Jonnel C. Estomo yesterday announced the arrest of two senior citizens-turned most wanted rape suspects in the region in line with their continuing effort to account for criminals hiding from the law.
In a report to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, General Dionardo B. Carlos, the official said one of the suspects identified as Jovenal Molina, a 61-year old resident of Barangay Tinago in Viga, Catanduanes was tracked down in his hiding place in Sitio Kipit, Purok 6, Barangay Dinadiawan in Dipaculao, Aurora province around 2 a.m. Friday.
Estomo said the suspect, tagged as the no. 5 most wanted person in Viga, Catanduanes was arrested on the strength of a non-bailable warrant for rape issued by Judge Jaime Contreras of the Virac Regional Trial Court Branch 43 on December 5, 2005.
The official said the suspect went into hiding for nearly 16 years after being charged with raping a neighbor in 2005.
The 2nd identified as Dionito Rovera, a 63-year old resident of Bgy. Sawang in Aroroy, Masbate was arrested last Thursday by local policemen on the basis of a warrant of arrest for four counts of rape issued by Judge Ave Zurbito-Alba of the Masbate City RTC Branch 48 last June 21. No bail was recommended for the temporary liberty of the accused.
The Bicol police director said the suspect is wanted for sexually abusing a minor in 2020 and allegedly went into hiding after the victim’s family filed criminal charges against him.
On Thursday, the suspect was arrested in his hiding place in Bgy. Armenia in Uson, Masbate by PRO5 agents acting on a tip from an informant.
Estomo also reported the arrest of Jose Napao, a construction worker from Labo, Camarines Norte wanted for a murder case. Judge Rolando Bobos of the Labo RTC Branch 64 recommended no bail for the temporary freedom of the suspect on August 29, 2009.
The PRO5 director said members of the Camarines Norte Police Provincial Office under Colonel Julius D. Guadamor arrested the suspect at 15 Evangelista Street in Bgy. San Bartolome in Novaliches, Quezon City with the help of the Q.C. Police District Station 4 last Friday.
