TWO most wanted rape suspects were hauled to jail by agents of the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) and the Zambales Police Provincial Office in separate manhunt operations on Sunday and Monday, officials reported yesterday.
One of the two suspects identified as Bryan Melu, the subject of a warrant of arrest for rape with no bail recommended by Judge Marifi Chua of the Iba, Zambales Regional Trial Court Branch 70 on July 7 last year was tracked down in his hiding place in Sitio Barani, Bgy. Gayusan, Agno, Pangasinan 2 p.m. last Sunday, said Zambales Police Provincial Office director, Colonel Romano V. Cardiño.
Cardiño said Melu, the 4th most wanted person in Sta. Cruz was arrested by members of the Sta. Cruz Municipal Police Station, Zambales PPO’s Provincial Mobile Force Company, Regional Intelligence Unit 3 and the Agno police.
He added that the suspect went into hiding after being accused of raping a 20-year old woman in Sta. Cruz on April 28, 2017. However, his nearly four years in hiding came to an end when policemen led by Lieutenant John Ignacio got a tip that the suspect was living a double life in Agno.
The 2nd suspect identified as Joel Beron,51, a construction worker from St. Joseph, Pulang Lupa 2 in Las Piñas City was arrested 5:50 p.m. Monday by PNP-AKG operatives led by Lt. Maleo David Manzano, said PNP-AKG director, Brigadier General Jonnel C. Estomo.
Estomo said the suspect was arrested on the strength of a warrant of arrest for rape issued by Judge Elizabeth Yu-Guray of the Las Piñas City RTC Branch 199 with no bail recommended.
The PNP-AKG director said the suspect is wanted for raping an 8-year old girl in 2009
Both suspects are set to be presented to the court for issuance of jail commitment order, the Journal Group learned.
