Thirteen years of evading justice came to an end for a former police officer who faces nine counts of sexual abuse of a minor at the Virac Regional Trial Court.
Last May 24, 2026, personnel of the Virac Municipal Police Station led by PEMS Joselito V. Tubo and PMsg. Richard T. Pereyra, together with law enforcers from the Cainta MPS in Rizal province, apprehended John Paul B. Magayanes, 44, a native of Camarines Sur and working as sales supervisor at the time of his arrest.
The report said the former policeman, who is presently residing at Purok 4, barangay San Juan, Tabaco City, was nabbed on the basis of a warrant issued by then Regional Trial Court Branch 43 Acting Presiding Judge Lelu P. Contreras in September 2013.
Magayanes will face trial for nine counts of violation of Section 5, Article III of Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, with bail for his temporary liberty set at P200,000 each.
Section 5 of RA 7610 penalizes child prostitution and other sexual abuse with reclusion temporal or imprisonment of 17 to 20 years, to reclusion perpetua or as long as 40 years.