Manhunt operation vs cop accused of rape launched

MANILA, Philippines - A police major accused of plotting to kill the 13-year-old girl he allegedly raped in Taguig City last year is now a subject of a manhunt operation.

Chief Inspector Renante Ibon, intelligence officer of the Southern Police District (SPD), has not reported to work since Oct. 19 – a day after his alleged rape victim and her father was shot at in Lower Bictuan. The girl’s father died in the shooting.

 SPD director Chief Superintendent Jose Arne delos Santos told The STAR that Ibon could no longer be located in his Mauling Creek, Lower Bicutan residence.

“He cannot show himself up, talagang may problema ito, he cannot be located,” said Delos Santos over the phone.

Ibon allegedly raped the girl last December, but the family, according to Taguig City police chief Senior Superintendent Tomas Apolinario Jr., hesitated to file the case.

On June 2, the girl’s family pressed rape charges but allegedly instructed the Taguig police’s Women and Children Protection division to keep it confidential.

On Thursday, the girl and his father attended a court hearing at the city hall of justice. On their way out, the girl saw Ibon talking to a certain Rodolfo “Dodong” Portabis and another man outside the hall of justice.

She informed her father about it, who in turn told her to hurry home. But Portabis caught up and aimed his gun at the girl. The father covered his daughter and received the bullet in his face. Portabis fled after seeing barangay workers, while the father was declared dead on arrival at the Taguig-Pateros District Hospital, police said.