Rape, theft suspects arrested
A man wanted for rape was arrested at the public plaza of Guimbal town, Iloilo recently after evading authorities for seven years.
The suspect, Gilbert Tabaosares, 30, a native of Brgy. Alugmawa, Lambunao town, was collared by joint operatives of the Regional Intelligence Office and the Guimbal Police Station.
The two arrest warrants for rape was issued by Judge Ma. Yolanda Panaguiton-Gavino of Regional Trial Court Branch 34, Iloilo City on July 23, 2003.
Tabaosares is also a respondent to a serious illegal detention with rape in Dumangas, Iloilo.
He denied the accusations, claiming there was no rape and what happened was mutual between two consenting adults.
Tabaosares, who said he has an eight-year old daughter with the complainant, narrated that their love affair started when they were both in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat and continued when they came to Iloilo.
When the complainant got pregnant, he had wanted to marry her, he said, but her aunt allegedly hindered their plans.
THIEF NABBED
Meanwhile, a man who stole the office equipment and personal belongings of employees at Sta. Barbara Municipal Hall while they were attending the flag ceremony was arrested Monday afternoon.
The suspect was identified as Nathaniel Hobane, 30, of Fajardo St., Brgy. Sambag, Jaro, Iloilo City.
He was caught after reporting to the Parole and Probation Office at the Ramon Avanceña Hall of Justice in Iloilo City at around 3 p.m. the same day.
Hobane, whom witnesses saw alighting from a passenger jeepney, entered the municipal hall pretending to transact a business.
He then stole an Acer laptop worth P30,000 from the Sta. Barbara Municipal Planning and Development Office; a Lenovo laptop valued at P40,000 owned by employee Julie Superio; and complainant Marilou Jover’s bag containing money, ATM cards, pertinent documents, and Sony and Nokia mobile phones.
Police investigators said that Hobane used an ATM-like card in picking the lock of the MPDO.
The suspect’s identity was known after SPO3 Niel Camayodo coordinated with his contacts on thieves with the same modus operandi.
Camayodo was then led to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology District Jail in Iloilo City, which in turn referred him to the Parole and Probation Office.
Hobane was given parole following a theft charge lodged by his aunt, Leticia Zerrudo, whose necklace he stole.
Camayodo coordinated with the Parole and Probation Office and Hobane’s parole officer ask him to report that day and then he was arrested.
Hobane initially denied his presence at the Sta. Barbara municipal hall but eventually admitted after thorough questioning.
Police later recovered the stolen laptops and cellphones at his house but Jover’s bag has yet to be returned.
