ORMOC CITY– Police operatives apprehended the Top 4 most wanted person at the regional level during a warrant service operation on Tuesday, March 18, at around 1:40 pm in Sitio Mananglad, Barangay A. Tumamak, Villaba, Leyte.
Villaba Chief of Police Major Ian Salvador Po identified the suspect as alias “Gio,” 19, a student and resident of the area.
The arrest was made following a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Dexter Lazarte Aguilar, presiding judge of the 8th Judicial Region, RTC Branch 17, Palompon, Leyte, dated February 14, 2025.
The suspect faces charges for two counts of statutory rape and lascivious conduct under Section 5, Article III of Republic Act 7610, also known as the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act” of 1992.
The court set bail at P200,000 for the lascivious conduct charge, but no bail was recommended for the rape charges.
Police ensured the suspect was informed of the nature of his arrest and his constitutional rights in a language he understood. He was then brought to Villaba Municipal Police Station for proper disposition before being turned over to the court that issued the warrant.
(ROBERT DEJON)
