A JOINT police operation led to the arrest of the most wanted person (regional level) of Police Regional Office-Calabarzon (PRO 4A) around 12:30 p.m. Monday, July 21, 2025, in Barangay THT&P (Taft-Hughes-Thompson-del Pilar), Maasin, Iloilo.
Police Brigadier General Josefino Ligan, director of the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas, praised the teams behind the arrest.
“I commend our operating personnel for the successful arrest of a most wanted person from another region. This accomplishment highlights the effectiveness of intelligence coordination and the dedication of our units in pursuing justice beyond boundaries,” said Ligan.
Ligan encouraged continued collaboration to keep communities safe, regardless of potential threats.
The suspect, identified only as alias Seph, 52, a resident of Barangay San Isidro, Sibunag, Guimaras, was arrested for 75 counts of statutory rape and 19 additional counts of the same crime, as defined and penalized under Article 266 (a) Paragraph 1 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Acts (RA) 8353 and 11648.
He also faces a separate charge for acts of lasciviousness under Article 336 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to RA 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
The warrant of arrest was issued in Laguna on April 11, 2025. No bail was recommended for the statutory rape charges, while bail was set at P80,000 for the acts of lasciviousness case.
The suspect is now in the custody of the arresting officers. (Leo Solinap)