The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) arrested three individuals accused of rape, including a town mayor, during an operation conducted on December 17 at the Municipality of Pandi in Bulacan.
The accused were identified as the Mayor Enrico Roque, Municipal Councilor JonJon Roxas, and one government employee.
The operation was executed by operatives of the Northern Police District’s (NPD) District Special Operations Unit (DSOU), in coordination with the District Investigation Division (DID) and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Northern District Field Unit.
They were acting on a complaint filed by a woman, who accused the suspects of sexually abusing her in Caloocan on April 6, 2019, NPD-DSOU chief Lt. Col. Alain Licdan said, according to an ABS-CBN News report.
The three were apprehended at a waterpark in Pandi, Bulacan at approximately 1 p.m. on Tuesday, December 17, after authorities served a warrant of arrest issued by Hon. Ma. Rowena Violaga Alejandria, Presiding Judge of RTC Branch 121, Caloocan City.
The warrant pertains to two counts of rape under Article 266-A of the Revised Penal Code (Criminal Case Nos. 126653 and 126654), dated November 11, 2024, with no bail recommended.
NCRPO regional director Brigadier General Anthony Aberin attributed the success of the operation to their principles of policing, ensuring that justice is applied fairly and without bias, regardless of one’s rank, title, or influence.
“This operation is a strong reminder that no one is above the law. Our assurance is that NCRPO will pursue justice without fear or favor, ensuring accountability for everyone,” the NCRPO chief emphasized.
The suspects, meanwhile, denied the accusation with the camp of Roque arguing that the case was fabricated and politically motivated. His legal counsel reportedly filed a “motion to quash the arrest warrant and information,” claiming that the complaint was based on lies.
