RSOG nabs suspect in rape of 15-year old student

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
June 25, 2013

CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – The elite unit of Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) arrested recently an 18-year old out-of-school-youth suspected of raping a 15-year old high school student in 2011 in Dulag town in Leyte.

Eastern Visayas police director PCSupt. Elmer Ragadio Soria said that Anthony Ibañez y Capungcol alias Klote, of Brgy. Alegre, Dulag town, was arrested in a manhunt operation conducted by PRO8’s Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) Saturday evening at the outskirts of said village.

The arresting team, led by SPO4 Ananias Monteroso, was armed with an alias warrant of arrest issued by Judge Rogelio Sescon of Regional Trial Court Branch 7, Tacloban City issued on July 11, 2012.

Accused is facing charges of Forcible Abduction with Rape in criminal case number 2012-04-295 filed by a 15-year old girl in 2011.

Follow-up manhunt operations conducted by same police team also led to the arrest of Ibañez’ co-accused, identified as Emily Peleño, 19, charged as an accomplice in same crime.

Judge Sescon did not recommend bail bond for the suspects’ temporary liberty.

Accused Ibañez was a suitor of the then 15-year old victim, Erika (not her real name), who was then a third year high school student.

Erika informed the Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) investigators of Dulag police station that she was about to report to her classes in the afternoon of November 22, 2011 when she chanced upon Ibañez and Peleño who invited her to go with them to Brgy. Rawis since Peleño, her friend, will get money from her mother who resides in said place.

While hesitant at first, Erika went with the two and they arrived in the area at past 4:00 P.M. After Peleño talked with her mother, they crossed the river and stayed in a nipa hut owned by Peleño’s friend.

The suspects then have a drinking spree and despite the victim’s pleadings that she be allowed to go home as her mother was waiting for her, the two ignored her until evening comes.

Erika said that she got tired of insisting so she decided to sleep. At around midnight, she was awakened upon sensing that suspect was on top of her. She resisted but Ibañez succeeded with his evil motive.

The victim was fetched by village officials the following day wherein they immediately filed a complaint to the police.

“With the suspect’s arrest, the victim will finally get the justice she deserves,” Soria said.