A father and his son, reportedly former radio commentators in Occidental Mindoro who were wanted for allegedly raping a housemaid, were collared during an operation in San Juan City Thursday night.
The suspects were identified as Marcelo Raro, 55, and his son Marc Anhelo Raro, 26, both of Bgy. Pag-asa, Occidental Mindoro, according to a report submitted to Eastern Police District (EPD) director Chief Supt. Bernabe Balba by San Juan police chief Senior Supt. Dindo Reyes.
Reyes said the Raros were collared by joint operatives of San Juan Police Station React Unit (SRU) headed by Senior Insp. Dionisio Jonathan de Castro and San Jose Mindoro Police Station (MPS) Intelligence chief, Senior Insp. Hope Balasuit during an operation at a house of their relative at 12-W Road 8, Bgy. West Crame, San Juan City at around 7:15 p.m.
According to Reyes, the arrest was based on the warrant issued by Judge Jose S. Jacinto Jr., of San Jose Occidental Mindoro Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 45 for rape in relation to RA 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse Law dated September 12, 2018.
Insp. Alric Macatuggal, San Juan Police Investigation chief, said the father and his son were reportedly former radio commentators of local station 102.7 Heart FM Radio Occidental Mindoro.
Records showed that the suspects have been accused by a 15-year-old house helper of raping her in 2017 inside the residence of his employer who is reportedly father-in-law of older Raro in Bgy. Pag-asa.
The victim ran away from the house of her employer and told her relatives about the incident who then reported to the police and filed charges against the suspects.
After the incident, the Raros immediately escaped and hid.
Authorities launched a manhunt operation against them.
Reyes added that the suspects arrest was a result of surveillance by San Juan and Mindoro Police Stations who received a tip from an informant that the two were reportedly being coddled and given refuge by their relatives in Bgy. West Crame.
The suspects are currently in the custody of San Juan police custodial facility and awaiting transport to Mindoro, pending return of warrant of arrests to the issuing court, Reyes said.
