Ex-cop wanted for rape arrested in Bulacan


PLARIDEL, Bulacan -- A former policeman who is on the Department of Interior and Local Government's most wanted list was arrested by Bulacan police in a manhunt operation on Monday, March 8.

(PNP / MANILA BULLETIN)

Col. Lawrence B. Cajipe, Bulacan police director, identified the suspect as Bernard San Pedro Villena, a former member of the Philippine National Police (PNP) assigned to the Manila Police District (MPD).

Joint personnel of the Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU) National Capital Region (NCR), RIU Region 3 and Plaridel municipal police station conducted a manhunt operation against Villena in Brgy. Bintog where he was residing.

Villena was accused of raping his 12-year-old daughter in Valenzuela City in 2015.

He is facing rape and acts of lasciviousness charges in relation to Republic Act 7610, the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.

He is now under the custody of the RIU NCR-intelligence group. (With a report from PNA)