ORMOC CITY– An American national facing charges under the Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) Act was arrested in a joint operation by the Almeria Municipal Police, the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Biliran Provincial Police Office, and local authorities.
The arrest took place at around 4:50 pm on October 7, in Barangay Poblacion, Naval, Biliran.
The suspect, identified by police as Francis Smith, 63, a married, unemployed U.S. citizen currently residing in Barangay Iyusan, Almeria, Biliran, is originally from Texas, USA.
The arrest was carried out by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Executive Judge Luz Petilla Navarrete of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 16, Naval, Biliran, for a violation of section 5, paragraph (1) of Republic Act 9262 (VAWC).
The court set bail at P72,000 for his temporary release.
Authorities informed the suspect of the charges against him and apprised him of his constitutional rights in a language he understood.
Smith was taken to the Almeria Municipal Police Station for documentation and proper processing before being turned over to the court that issued the warrant.
(ROBERT DEJON)
