By MERLINDA A. PEDROSA

A man wanted for statutory rape was arrested during a sustained intelligence-driven operation at Barangay Old Sagay in Negros Occidental’s Sagay City on Tuesday, June 2.

Police identified the fifth most wanted person as 76-year-old alias “Moden,” a carpenter and resident of Purok Santan 2 in the village.

Police Lt. Colonel Joem Malong, Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region’s (PRO-NIR) public information office chief, said the suspect was arrested by virtue of a warrant for two counts of statutory rape, with no bail recommended.

Malong said the suspect, a known acquaintance of the victim’s grandfather, allegedly sexually abused a minor victim on several occasions and threatened to kill her should she disclose the incident.

She noted that the arrest of a high-ranking regional most wanted person underscores the unwavering commitment of PRO-NIR to pursue fugitives relentlessly, ensuring that justice is neither delayed nor denied.

As the region continues to intensify its intelligence-driven manhunt operations, Malong added that PRO-NIR sends a clear and uncompromising message: Those who commit grave offenses will be tracked down, arrested and brought before the court, where accountability will prevail and the rule of law will stand firm./MAP, WDJ