Murder raps to be filed vs gunman of rape victim's father

MANILA, Philippines - The man who shot dead the father of a 13-year-old girl allegedly raped by a police major last December will be charged with murder today.

Superintendent Tomas Apolinario Jr., Taguig City police chief said they are also studying the possibility of filing charges of conspiracy against Chief Inspector Renante Ibon of the Southern Police District (SPD)’s intelligence unit, who allegedly raped the girl.

The girl told investigators that she saw Ibon talking to Rodolfo “Dodong” Portabis, the alleged gunman, and another man before the shooting occurred after they attended a court hearing on the rape case they filed against the police officer.

Portabis aimed his gun at the girl but the father shielded her and was shot in the face.

“We are not sure if the fiscal will accept it (conspiracy charges) so we are looking for witnesses who can corroborate the girl’s statement,” Apolinario told The STAR.

A manhunt has been launched for the arrest of Ibon, who has not reported to work since Oct. 19, according to SPD director Chief Superintendent Jose Arne delos Santos.

Ibon was no longer in his residence in Mauling Creek while his wife told police investigators that they were no longer together, Delos Santos added.