PALO, Leyte — The Philippine National Police arrested a man suspected to be involved in eight rape cases in Biliran after hiding for almost one year in Balayan, Batangas.

The suspect, identified only as alias Eugenio, 49 years old and a resident of Cabucgayan, Biliran was arrested in his hideout in Barangay San Juan, Balayan, Batangas by joint operatives from Biliran Provincial Police Office and Balayan Municipal Police Station last Friday at about 7:09 a.m.

The suspect has standing warrants of arrest for eight counts of rape issued by Judge Constantino Esber of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 37 in Caibiran, Biliran last 1 June 2021 with no recommended bail.

P/Col. Dionisio Apas, acting Police Provincial Director of Biliran, lauded the operatives and barangay officials of Barangay San Juan, Balayan, Batangas for the successful arrest of the suspect
"BPPO lauds the operating troops for their relentless efforts to continuously put wanted persons behind bars and eradicate all forms of lawlessness in the entire province of Biliran," Apas said in a statement.

Apas also appealed to the general public "to be extra vigilant and be a responsible partner in crime prevention by providing relevant and timely information to the nearest police stations or through the social media accounts."