ILOILO CITY, Philippines — An 85-year-old grandfather, from Buenavista in Guimaras, who went into hiding soon after he was charged with rape, was finally arrested in this city last Sunday.
Jovito Tambang was nabbed by a composite team from the Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs/Regional Special Operations Group, the Regional Intelligence Division, Regional Internal Affairs Service-6, Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit-6 and the Regional Headquarters Support Group.
Tambang’s arrest was made by virtue of an arrest warrant for Criminal Case No. 8049-B issued by Judge Constantino Tubilleja of 16th Municipal Trial Court in Cities last March 26, 2004. No bail was recommended for his provisional liberty.
Superintendent Robert Rodriguez, RSOG chief, said the suspect’s name has been on the Western Visayas’ list of most wanted persons. A monetary reward of P140,000 was approved by the DILG in 2005 for Tambang’s arrest.
Considering the suspect’s age, it could not be ascertained how long will he be able to serve his sentence if ever found guilty of the charge accused him. It was not also definite if he could be granted executive clemency by reason of extraordinary circumstances. — (FREEMAN)