BACOLOD CITY – A municipal councilor in Negros Occidental who was accused of rape and five counts of act of lasciviousness surrendered to the police Tuesday, June 14.
The 46-year-old councilor turned himself in to Himamaylan City Mayor Raymund Tongson. The name of the accused was withheld to protect the identity of the victim.
A report from the Negros Occidental Police Intelligence Unit said the suspect was the 28th top most wanted person on the provincial level.
The arrest warrant for rape dated Oct. 15, 2021 with no bail recommended was issued and signed by acting Presiding Judge Eric Anthony Ateniao Dumpilo of the Regional Trial Court 7 Branch 64 in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.
The other arrest warrant for acts of lasciviousness dated Dec. 2, 2021 was issued by Presiding Judge Ma. Lynette Salhay Eusebio of the Municipal Circuit Trial Court in Isabela-Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental. The court has set a bail of P36,000 for each count.
According to Police Lt. Col. Reynante Jomocan, Himamaylan police chief, the councilor-elect is now under the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Negros Occidental upon his request.