Court orders arrest of Ilocos mayor for rape try

LAOAG CITY—A court here has ordered the arrest of Mayor Eric Bawingan of Adams town for the attempted rape of a former employee last year.

Judge Francisco Quilala, of the Laoag City Regional Trial Court, issued the arrest warrant on Aug. 5 after the court ruled there was probable cause for detaining Bawingan, who allegedly undressed and tried to rape the employee at a house in Camanggaan village here.

The employee also claimed that the mayor offered her money in exchange for her silence.

Through his lawyer, Bawingan on Tuesday posted a P120,000 bail bond.

Bawingan earlier denied sexually assaulting the town employee.

Insp. Clemente Ceralde Jr., Adams police chief, said Bawingan has yet to be seen in his office since the court issued the arrest warrant.

Ceralde said the Adams police received a copy of the warrant at 5 p.m. on Aug. 8, but they could not serve it on Aug. 9 because it was a holiday. Leilanie Adriano, Inquirer Northern Luzon