PNP exec charged with rape seeks reinstatement after court acquittal

SAN PEDRO CITY – A police officer and an alumnus of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) is seeking reinstatement in the police force after the court acquitted him of charges in relation to the rape of a female factory worker in Laguna a year ago.

PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde ordered Insp. Aaron Cabillan, a member of the PNPA Class of 2012, dismissed from the service after he was arrested in Calamba City in January 2017.

But the regional trial court branch 36 last week acquitted Cabillan, who was released after a year of detention at the Calamba city jail.

Failure to prove

Ryan Muro, Cabillan’s counsel, said the court under Judge Glenda Ramos, found “reasonable doubt” to exonerate the police official.

In a phone interview Wednesday, Muro said the complainant failed to prove the sexual assault based on the results of the medico-legal.

Cabillan, who was then assigned at the intelligence police division in Calabarzon, was caught by patrolling policemen naked with a woman inside his own car parked near a supermarket.

The woman said she was on her way home that evening when Cabillan forced her into his car.

“One of the policemen (who caught them) testified in court that he, at first, thought the two were a couple having sex in the car. When he approached the car, he said it took the complainant some time to get dressed. She did not even scream for help, nothing like that,” Muro said.

Muro said his client would file a motion at the PNP National Appellate Board.

Last week, a male PNPA plebe was arrested for a case of attempted rape committed before he entered the academy. Three PNPA cadets were implicated last month in the alleged sexual assault of another plebe at the PNPA.