‘RSOG’ nabs suspect in rape of high school student in Samar

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
November 20, 2012

CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte  –  Police operatives have arrested a man who went into hiding after allegedly raping a high school student in Samar more than a year ago.

Police Chief Superintendent Elmer Ragadio Soria, PRO8 Director, identified the suspect as Carlo Mabongga y Golondrina alias Todok, 23, single, self-employed, of Brgy. Balugo, Tarangnan, Samar who was arrested by the PRO8 Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) in his hide-out in said village.

Armed with a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Esteban V. Dela Peña of Regional Trial Court Branch 40 in Tarangnan, Samar for 2 counts of Rape in relation to RA 7610 under Criminal Case No. T-170 and T-171, elements of RSOG and members of Tarangnan police headed by Police Inspector Constantino C Jabonete, Jr raided the suspect’s lair. Judge Dela Peña did not recommend any bail bond for the suspect’s temporary liberty.

Soria said the suspect was surprised but did not resist arrest.

The incident transpired sometime in April 4, 2011 when the victim, who was then a 17-year old high school student, was fetched by Mabongga and a 15-year old girl, from the victim’s residence in Brgy. Aurora, San Jorge, Samar at around 8:00 o’ clock in the evening.

The three were supposed to attend the SK Night in Brgy. San Vicente, a baranggay along the Maharlika Highway in Catbalogan City, some 10 kilometers south from the victim’s residence, on-board a single motorcycle driven by the suspect.

Instead of proceeding to Brgy. San Vicente, the group went to the house of Mabongga’s grandmother in Brgy. Balugo, Tarangnan, Samar some 3 kilometers to their supposed destination wherein another suspect, JC Boy Lindero, was waiting. The group then engaged in a drinking session until around 11:30 o’ clock in the evening when the incident transpired.

Still at large and being hunted down by the police were Lindero and the other girl who went into hiding after learning that the victim filed a rape case against them.

“The long arms of the law will finally catch them,” Soria said.

As this developed, Soria reiterated PRO8’s commitment for the protection of women and children specially those victims of abuse and violence.