5th most wanted in Bohol caught in Davao del Norte

CEBU, Philippines - The fifth most wanted man of Dimiao town in Bohol was finally arrested last Monday after about 10 years of hiding in Davao del Norte.

Ranil Pahit, 36, was temporarily residing at Barangay Magsaysay in Carmen town, Davao del Norte, but was arrested at Brgy. Del Pilar, New Corella town, Davao del Norte

A team of operatives of the CIDG-Central Visayas and various police units from Bohol and Davao del Norte arrested Pahit inside a relative’s house where he stayed since he fled Bohol. The suspect did not resist arrest.

The operation was done by virtue of an arrest warrant issued on April 2011 by Judge Dionisio Calibo Jr. of Regional Trial Court Branch 50 of the Loay town in Bohol for two counts of sexual abuse against Pahit.

Pahit was accused of having sexually abused a 13-year-old girl in 2002. She is now aged 22.

Chief Insp. Rene Kyamko, who led the arresting team, told The FREEMAN That Pahit was not the main subject in their operations in Davao del Norte but another fugitive who however managed to escape.

After the primary subject escaped, Kyamko said the team immediately coordinated with its counterparts in Bohol who informed them about Pahit who was sighted in the area.

The arrested Pahit was temporarily detained at the CIDG-Davao del Norte before he was transported to the CIDG-Cebu City.

Kyamko said Pahit will be brought this weekend to Bohol where he will be presented and turned over to the court that issued the arrest warrant.

This early however, Pahit denied allegations that he sexually molested the girl, saying these were only fabricated by the victim’s uncle with whom he had a rift before. “I only put my arms around her (victim) shoulders. I did not harass her,” he insisted to The FREEMAN.

Pahit said he even had no intentions of escaping from Bohol but then he alleged that he was mauled by the victim’s family, leaving him no choice then but to leave for Davao del Norte for his safety.

Authorities said the court may grant Pahit a bail of P80,000 for each count of sex abuse charges filed against him.  (FREEMAN)