Facebook instrumental to rape suspect’s arrest

CEBU, Philippines - A rape suspect, who was identified by the police through popular social networking site Facebook, was arrested in an internet shop in Barangay Sto. Rosario in Bogo City Monday afternoon.

The suspect, Niño Cueva, left Barangay Casili in Mandaue City to go into hiding in Bogo City after he learned last year that he had a pending warrant of arrest for allegedly raping a 17-year-old minor last May 12, 2012.

The suspect, during the rape incident, was earning a living as a habal-habal driver, and the victim, who was supposed to be on her way home from school, boarded his motorbike.

But along the way, the suspect also came to pick up another suspect identified as Jaypee Aurilio. Together, they brought the victim to a bushy field and succeeded in raping her.

Cueva was arrested 4 p.m. last March 31 inside an internet shop in Sto. Rosario when the police were able to see and extract his photos from his Facebook account which was also fed to the police by his co-suspect Jaypee,19.

Aurilio is now languishing at the Mandaue City Jail following his arrest last June 29, 2012.

Police Officer 3 Arnold Villacampo of Canduman Police Station said they later knew that Cueva went into hiding and rented a boarding house in Bogo City through their common friends.

 "Among gi-open ang Facebook  account ni Aurilio ug didto nailhan namo ilang mga friends unya mga taga Casili ra man sad ug sila na maoy misulti nga tua na magpuyo sa Sto. Rasario sa Bogo si Cueva " Villacampo said.

Armed with a warrant of arrest for a rape case issued by Judge Raphael Yrastorza of the Regional Trial Court-7 Branch 28, operatives of Canduman Police went to Bogo City Monday afternoon and served the warrant against the suspect.

He was immediately brought to Canduman Police Station where he was positively identified by the victim who is now 19 years old.  (FREEMAN)