POLICE have arrested an elderly man who has nearly 1,500 standing arrest warrants over charges of rape, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said on Monday, March 7, 2022.CIDG Director Major General Eliseo Cruz said “Alex” (real name withheld to protect the victim), a 63-year-old fisherman and the number 5 most wanted person in Bicol Region, was arrested on March 2 in Barangay Supang, Caramoran, Catanduanes.Judge Genie Gapas-Agbada of the Branch 42 of the Virac, Catanduanes Regional Trial Court issued arrest warrants against the suspect over 900 counts of statutory rape under Article 266-A paragraph 1(d) of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), 382 counts of rape under Article 266-A paragraph 1(a) of the RPC, 55 counts of rape and 150 counts of statutory rape.Cruz said Alex victimized his own granddaughter from July 2016, when the victim was then in the third grade, until October 2021.“After that carnal incident, the suspect threatened the victim that he would kill her by stabbing her if she tries to tell anyone,” he said.“He abused the victim 20 times every month. But in the afternoon of November 6, 2021, after another abuse from his grandfather, the victim, who can no longer bear what was done to her, finally sought the help of her relatives,” he added.Cruz urged all other victims of abuse to report to them and stand up for their rights.“Being abused and molested once is hell to begin with –– how much more for a defenseless child who had gone through the trauma for 1,487 times. The victim suffered for years, unable to fend herself from the physical, emotional, and psychological damage this immoral act has inflicted,” he said.“At that, we encourage everyone, especially victims, to report any incident of abuse or crime being committed, as CIDG will serve diligently justice to all victims of abuse and criminal acts and will likewise continue to arrest and put all suspects behind bars so that our people or communities will feel comfortable and safe,” he added. (SunStar Philippines)