Most wanted man, about to vote, is arrested for rape

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
October 29, 2013

CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – Joel Abalon risked being caught by police authorities to exercise his rights of suffrage and surfaced in his village after a year in hiding.

But unfortunately for him, the police had been tipped-off on his presence and arrested him just when he was about to go to the polling center to cast his vote for Monday’s barangay elections.

According to Police Chief Supt. Elmer R. Soria, the 28-year old self-employed suspect tried but failed to resist arrest after being collared by a police team at around 9:20 a.m. Monday in his parent’s house at Brgy. Zone 3, San Roque town in Northern Samar.

Abalon is facing rape charges in criminal case number 5444 and has a pending arrest warrant issued by Judge Alma Esidera of Regional Trial Court branch 20 in Catarman, Northern Samar.

The presiding judge did not recommend any bail amount for the suspect’s temporary liberty, the director of Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) added.

“Abalon thought the police were too busy for the village polls and will not notice his presence. Despite being occupied with election duties, our men still performed their normal police functions,” the police official said.

Soria added that the suspect is ranked number one in the most wanted person list of San Roque town.

Meanwhile, the number two most wanted person of Daram town in Samar was nabbed by police authorities on Sunday afternoon.

Marcus Baleña, Jr., 55, was nabbed by a police team led by PCInsp. Jonathan Momo in his hide-out in Brgy Burgos at around 2:30 p.m.

Suspect is facing two separate charges for frustrated homicide and qualified theft and was arrested by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by Judge Agerico Avila of RTC branch 29 in Catbalogan City.

No bail was recommended by Avila for both cases, docketed under case numbers 8315 and 8316, Soria informed.

The accounting of wanted persons was one of the steps undertaken by PRO8 to ensure the peaceful conduct of the barangay elections, Soria disclosed.