Cops nab ex-village watchman for alleged rape of mentally ill neighbor 

MANILA, Philippines  — A former barangay tanod (village watchman), who was accused of raping his mentally challenged neighbor, was arrested inside his hideout in Antipolo City on Monday night.

Eastern Police District (EPD) identified the suspect as Jose Santillan, 44, of Barangay Dela Paz in Pasig City.

Agents of EPD- Special Operations Unit accosted Santillan in Sitio Boso-Boso in Barangay San Jose at 6:25 p.m.

Santillan reportedly worked as a janitor in a university in Antipolo and went into hiding with his live-in partner upon learning about the arrest warrant issued against him. 

Judge Maria Garcia Casacla of Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 155 issued the warrant in January 2018 against Santillan for charges of rape.

In 2017, Santillan was accused of raping his 22-year-old neighbor inside the victim’s house in Katatagan Street, Karangalan Village in Barangay Dela Paz in Pasig City.

The victim’s relative caught Santillan doing the lewd act. The relative then reported the incident to police officers and filed a case against him. 

Santillan was also named as the No. 1 most wanted person in the eastern area of Manila, EPD director Brig. Gen. Christopher Tambungan said. (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)