ORMOC CITY – A 37-year-old food vendor listed as the sixth most wanted person at the provincial level in Southern Leyte was arrested by police on charges of statutory rape following the issuance of a court warrant.
The suspect, identified as Ryan Acebes Manlapaz, a resident of Barangay Poblacion, San Ricardo, Southern Leyte, was arrested at about 6:24 p.m. on July 9 in the same village by personnel of the San Ricardo Municipal Police Station.
Police said Manlapaz was arrested on the strength of a warrant issued on July 9 by Judge Fabio Albao Jr. of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 39, in Sogod, Southern Leyte.
The warrant stemmed from two counts of statutory rape against the court with the court did not recommend bail for the accused.
Authorities said the suspect was informed of the nature of his arrest and apprised of his constitutional rights in a language he understood.
He was taken to the San Ricardo Municipal Police Station for booking and documentation before being turned over to the court that issued the warrant.
Statutory rape is a non-bailable offense under Philippine law when the evidence of guilt is strong.
It involves sexual intercourse with a child below the age specified by law, regardless of whether force, intimidation, or consent is involved.
The arrest forms part of the Philippine National Police’s continuing campaign to locate and apprehend fugitives facing serious criminal charges.
(ROBERT DEJON)
