“Rapist” nabbed in Mandaue City

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Mobile Force Company (CMFC) arrested early yesterday morning in Barangay Estancia, Mandaue City a rape suspect by virtue of a warrant of arrest.

Accused Jagger Ace Atienza, 21, had been on the run from the authorities for at least three months after he allegedly raped his sister’s classmate following a drinking session last April 2019.

Police Chief Master Sargent Romualdo Torregosa, Chief Supervisor of CMFC, said they have placed Atienza under surveillance for few weeks before they were able to arrest him in Mandaue City.

He added that Atienza has been hopping from one place to another to hide from the authorities for approximately three months since the warrant was issued by the 7th Judicial Region Branch 89 of Mandaue City last October 2019.

“Kay daghan man gud ni siyag gitagoan – Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Cebu City, gatago-tago gyud siya. Last gyud namo is ang Pinamungajan kay tua man na iyang mama didto.  So, possible nga didto, so mao to nga nag-coordinate mi sa iyang mama,” Torregosa said.

Atienza’s mother, who willingly coordinated with the police, revealed that her son was hiding in Mandaue City.

Atienza was a native of Pinamungajan, Cebu and has a job order project at the Mandaue City College.

In an interview with reporters, Atienza denied the accusations and narrated that he could still vividly remember that his sister and her classmate, the alleged victim, were having a drinking session where he joined in eventually.

“Didto mi sa balay nga among gi-abangan, gidala man na sya (victim) sa akong igsuon nga babae.  Nagtagay na sila didto, nya naa man ko, ila nalang kong gipaapil,” Atienza said.

“Pagtagay namo naabot man tong ex sa akong manghod, nya naabot sad tong uyab atong babaye nga nang accused nako, mao tung nag-inom mi hangtod nga pagkadlawon nanguli na ang uban then nangatulog mi.  Pero pagmata, nahibong nami nga naghilak-hilak naman tong babaye,” he added.

Atienza added that he does not have any idea why he was accused of rape by the complainant, since, according to him, he was not personally acquainted with her and claimed that it was the first time they have met each other.

Torregosa said that it is only up to the court to decide on Atienza’s denial to the accusation.

He also said the same thing to the authorities during the interrogation.

At present, Atienza is temporarily detained at the Cebu City Police Office. (FREEMAN)