PHILIPPINE National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) Director Brigadier General Rodolfo D. Castil Jr. on Wednesday announced the capture of the 8th “most wanted person” in Eastern Visayas region during a manhunt operation in Parañaque City.

In a report to PNP Chief Gen. Rodolfo D. Azurin Jr., the official said identified the suspect, a 38-year-old construction worker, was wanted for five counts of rape.

Judge Catherine Jane Vanilla of the Burauen, Leyte Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 15 on September 7 last year, recommended no bail for the temporary liberty of the accused.

According to Castil, members of the PNP-AKG Visayas Field Unit tracked down the suspect at a construction site at Barangay Tambo in Parañaque City last Saturday.

He said that his men were joined by officers from the Regional Intelligence Unit 8, the Philippine Air Force (PAF), the Dagami Municipal Police Station (MPS), and the Southern Police District (SPD) in arresting the suspect who was accused of molesting a 9-year-old child starting in 2020 until last year.

The sexual assault only stopped when the victim and her relatives filed a criminal complaint against the suspect before the local police.

“The arrest of this person is not just an accomplishment of the PNP organization. This is also a great success for giving justice to the victim and her family,” said Castil as he commended the other law enforcement units that helped his men capture the elusive suspect.

The suspect was brought to the SPD headquarters for documentation and temporary detention shortly after his arrest.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon