THE second most wanted person in Western Visayas for rape by carnal knowledge was arrested by elements of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (Ippo) in Barangay THT&P (Taft-Hughes-Thompson-del Pilar), Maasin, Iloilo around 10:50 a.m. Monday, August 4, 2025.
Police Brigadier General Josefino Ligan, regional director of Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO 6), commended the successful operation.
"I commend all the personnel involved in the successful arrest and for your unwavering dedication in pursuing these criminals. PRO 6 assures the public that we will continue to relentlessly pursue those who remain at large and have yet to be held accountable for their crimes," Ligan said.
The suspect, identified only by his alias Jie, 27, a sales boy and resident of Barangay Nasuli, Maasin, Iloilo, was arrested on July 29, for rape by carnal knowledge, without a bail bond recommended by the Presiding Judge of RTC Branch 27, Iloilo City.
The arrest operation was spearheaded by the Maasin Municipal Police Station (MPS) under Police Lieutenant Cyrone Empedrad, with support from the 1st Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company, Ippo, and Iloilo City Police Station 8 of the Iloilo City Police Office.
Police Colonel Bayani Razalan, the acting provincial director of the Ippo, commended the Maasin MPS for their outstanding performance in apprehending the fugitive.
“Ang inyo Ilonggo Cops padayon nga nagapanguna sa masangkaron nga kampanya batuk sa kriminalidad. Lubos gid ang aton pagpasalamat sa wala untat nga suporta kag pagsalig sang aton pinalangga nga mga pumuluyo. Ginapasiguro sang inyo IPPO nga padayon ini nga manikasog agud mapasiguro ang seguridad kag katawhayan sa bug-os nga probinsya sang Iloilo,” Razalan said.
(Your Ilonggo cops continue to lead the massive campaign against crime. We are deeply grateful for the unwavering support and trust of our beloved residents. Your Ippo assures that it will continue to make efforts to ensure security and order throughout the province of Iloilo.)
The coordinated effort involved multiple law enforcement units working together to locate and apprehend the high-priority suspect who had been evading capture for an extended period.
Regional law enforcement in Western Visayas has arrested a suspect in the rape by carnal knowledge charge, a serious criminal offense. The operation, involving multiple police units, demonstrates the comprehensive strategy employed by regional authorities to ensure criminals cannot escape justice.
The suspect is currently in custody at Maasin MPS and will face the charges outlined in the arrest warrant. (Leo Solinap)