Ex-seaman, guard arrested for rape, car theft in Iloilo

ILOILO CITY—A former seaman and a security guard were arrested on Monday night after they were accused of raping a woman in front of her boyfriend inside the latter’s Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) at a mall’s carpark in Mandurriao District here before stealing the vehicle.

The suspects were identified as Sirius Gim Villareal, 22 and a former seaman from Tigbauan town in Iloilo, and Raymond Vincent Cordero, a security guard from Janiuay town.

Police said the two and another companion accosted a 22-year-old woman and her boyfriend, 21, while the couple were about to get inside the boyfriend’s Ford Everest SUV at the mall carpark .

Villareal and Cordero took turns in raping the woman while her boyfriend watched. One of them drove the SUV toward the 5th district.

Chief Insp. Charlie Sustento, Ajuy police chief, said the companion of the suspects was dropped off in Zaraga town because he didn’t want to be involved in the crime.

He said the woman grabbed the opportunity to escape when the suspects bought bottled water from a convenient store in Poblacion Banate in Barotac Viejo and asked for help.

SPO2 Bobby Gayagoy, investigator of Barotac Viejo town, said the suspects were arrested after the SUV had a flat tire in Bangga Puerto Princesa, Barotac Viejo.

The suspects are now detained at Barotac Viejo police detention cell pending the filing of charges.

Villareal was also wanted for the rape of a call center agent./rga