A fisherman from Panganiban town wanted by the Regional Trial Court in connection with 12 counts of statutory rape filed against him was arrested in Palawig, San Andres last week.
Goito Gonzalo Soledad Jr., 23, a resident of sitio Cabacungan, Cagdarao, Panganiban, was apprehended at 6:41 PM of Sept. 26, 2024 by personnel of the Panganiban police station under the supervision of Capt. Jumar Delavin, together with personnel of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Provincial Field Unit.
He was apprised of his constitutional rights, underwent mandatory physical and medical examinations at the Eastern Bicol Medical Center and was brought to the CIDG PFU for documentation.
RTC Branch 42 Acting Presiding Judge Ritche Reyes Regala had issued a warrant of arrest against the accused last Sept. 20 for 12 counts of statutory rape in violation of Art. 266-A, Paragraph 1(D) of the Revised Penal Code as amended by Republic Act 11648.
RA 11648 was enacted to promote stronger protection against rape and sexual abuse, increasing the age for determining the commission of statutory rape. The law raised the minimum age of sexual consent from 12 to 16 years old.