Police collar 227 suspects in rape charges

By Paulo DS. Papa

NAGA City --- Armed with arrest warrants, police authorities in Camarines Sur have arrested at least 227 men suspected as rapists.

Jessell Andrei Vibal, 22, of Zone 7, Barangay San Isidro, Calabanga, Camarines Sur, was arrested in the evening of Monday, October 24, by the strength of the warrant of arrest issued by Acting Judge Pablo Cabillan Formaran of RTC Branch 63 on October 5, this year, for the crime of rape in relation to RA 7610 or Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act docketed under criminal case no. 22-3752 without recommended bail. Vibal ranked fourth in the list of most wanted persons in Camarines Sur.

Police Major Maria Victoria Abalaing, spokesperson of the Camarines Sur Police Provincial Office told Bicol Mail that 104 wanted persons accused of rape were apprehended last year.

This year, Abalaing said, police authorities in the province have already arrested 123 suspected rapists including 10 men in January; 12 in February; March, 4; April, 21; May, 17; June, 14; July, 18; August, 13; September, 8 and October, 6.

Abalaing added that the immediate arrests of the rape suspects was the result of the project MARIKAS or Maging Alisto Rigmat Isip Kontra sa Abusong Sekswal.

“The purpose of the project is to provide immediate proactive measures to address rape cases in the province. This is strictly implemented by the provincial command to all police stations in Camarines Sur,” she said.

She said, organizing dialogues with men, barangay officials and anti-sexual abuse advocates in the province were among the activities included in the project. The activity is being conducted by informing male persons about RA 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 which defines different kinds of abuses to women and children such as sexual, financial, emotional, among others.

Police, under the project, also conduct awareness campaign to women in every town.

Abalaing encouraged women to report to the nearest police station any abuse they witnessed or committed against them.

She assured that the women and children’s protection desk (WCPD) will record their complaints or grievances in the pink blotter book for confidentiality.