Suspected rapist in Mindoro falls in Batangas

The felon is Rank No. 9 Most Wanted Person (MWP) of Naujan Municipal Police Station, but he evaded lawmen and moved to Barangay Balele in Tanauan City, where he was captured. (Pixabay photo)

CAMP GEN. MALVAR, Batangas City— A suspected rapist from Oriental Mindoro was finally captured by joint operatives in Tanauan City after eluding arrest for more than six years.

Acting Batangas Provincial Director Chief Supt. Alden Delvas on Wednesday said the suspected rapist was Jomar Porcino Gardiola, 26, from Barangay Evangelista in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

The felon is Rank No. 9 Most Wanted Person (MWP) of Naujan Municipal Police Station, but he evaded lawmen and moved to Barangay Balele in Tanauan City, where he was captured.

Delvas said the joint operatives were composed of the Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU) 4A led by Chief Inspector Rolly Hilario S. Tagama and Chief Inspector Joel Paningbatan of Naujan Municipal police station, together with the Batangas Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) headed by Chief Insp. Apolinario I. Lunar.

With the support of Tanauan City Police Station personnel led by SPO1 Rowell Mendoza Maala of Warrant Section, the joint operatives launched their manhunt operation around 11:25 p.m. on Nov. 13 and captured the wanted person in Barangay Balele in Tanauan City.

According to Batangas provincial police public information office head, Inspector Hazel P. Luma-ang, the team served the warrant of arrest against the suspect for Criminal Case No. ‎12-10566 issued by Judge Tomas C. Leynes of the Regional Trial Court Branch 39 in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro on June 25, 2013.

Luma-ang said the rape case was filed by the victim Annabel (not her real name) on March 26, 2011 in Sitio Maligaya, Barangay Evangelista in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

No bail was recommended for the accused who is now detained at the police station jail.