TACLOBAN CITY – Bato, Leyte's most wanted and Leyte province's 9th most wanted finally fell into the hands of police after eluding justice for years in Baybay City recently.
Bato, Leyte chief of police Major Jason Balbarona identified the accused as Joed Tabat, alias Yoyo, a resident of Brgy. Ponong, Bato, Leyte.
The accused was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest for rape with no bail recommended.
Major Balbarona disclosed that the arrest came after a minor girl filed rape charges against the accused.
Balbarona said the incident occurred in Brgy. Ponong on Nov 15, 2016, when the victim was still 15, and the accused was a trusted person of the family.
He added that the accused left the barangay after the incident.
He was nowhere to be found until a relative saw him in Baybay City where he was arrested.
The accused was brought to Bato Municipal Police Station for booking before he was committed to the Leyte Sub-Provincial Jail in Baybay City.