Bulacan mayor, councilor nabbed for rape charges

National

THE mayor of Pandi, Bulacan, and two other individuals were arrested on Tuesday, December 17, in connection with a rape case filed in Caloocan City.

Mayor Enrico Roque, 51; municipal Councilor JonJon Roxas, 48; and Roel Raymundo, 52, were apprehended around 1 p.m. at a resort on Santisimo Street in Pandi, according to National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin in a report by Philippine Star.

The warrant of arrest for two counts of rape that was served against the suspects were issued on November 11 by Judge Ma. Rowena Violaga Alejandria of the Caloocan City Regional Trial Court, Branch 121.

No bail was recommended for the accused.

Aberin confirmed that the arrests were carried out by teams from the Northern Police District, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, and Bulacan police.

Details about the case remain scarce, and the police have not disclosed the identity of the alleged victim.

However, sources suggest that a woman accused the suspects of sexually abusing her in Caloocan City on April 6, 2019.

In a separate report by ABS-CBN, it said that Northern Police District’s Special Operations Unit chief, Lt. Col. Alain Licdan, mentioned that the affidavit provided by the woman led to the arrest.

Denial of the allegations has come from the suspects, who argue that the charges are politically motivated and have filed a motion to quash the arrest warrant.

They were brought to the Northern Police District's custodial facility for processing.

In a statement, Aberin emphasized the importance of holding individuals accountable, regardless of their position, and assured that the NCRPO would pursue justice impartially.

As of this writing, Roque has not issued a public comment regarding his arrest.(MyTVCebu)