San Juan City fugitive who sexually abused 9-year-old girl nabbed in Rizal

MANILA, Philippines — The most wanted person in San Juan City, who was accused of sexually abusing the 9-year-old daughter of his partner, was finally arrested in Tanay, Rizal on Saturday morning.

The San Juan City police said Gerardo Altares alias Jerry Kamatayan, 49, was arrested inside his house in Barangay Plaza Althea at about 6:30 a.m.

A joint team by the San Juan City police Intelligence Unit and the San Juan City police Warrant and Subpoena Unit headed by Captain Jerry Boy Napagal and Executive Master Sergeant Eduardo Fronda, respectively, made the arrest.

According to San Juan City police chief Col. Ariel Fulo, Altares was arrested by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by Judge Cesar Pabel Sulit of the San Juan City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 162 for charges in relation to child abuse.

Police said Altares was tagged in the sexual abuse of the 9-year-old daughter of his partner in 2017. According to police, the abuse happened inside his partner’s house in San Juan City.

Altares escaped after being charged in court. Police said he then fled to Rizal where he hid until he was arrested.

Fulo said Altares was a former drug user who surrendered to the San Juan City police in 2018. He was also listed at the 10^th most wanted man in San Juan City.

Altares is now under the custody of San Juan City police.  (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)