After 13 years in hiding, alleged rapist arrested

After 13 years in hiding, a man allegedly involved in a gang rape finally fell into the hands of authorities.

Salvador Boquerin, a 52-year-old water delivery personnel, was arrested in Jalajala, Rizal on the basis of an arrest warrant issued by the Paranque Regional Trial Court for a rape he allegedly committed in 2001.

Investigation revealed that, in the past 13 years, Boquerin has been hiding by moving back and forth between the towns of Taytay and Jalajala in Rizal.

Boquerin and his live-in partner, Divina Batas, have also made Jalajala their home.

Divina said she didn’t know that Boquerin was wanted for rape. “Nagulat po ako,” was all she could say.

Boquerin said he went in hiding out of fear.

Boquerin admitted to participating in the gang rape, saying, “Humihingi ako ng pasensya sa nangyari.”

He also called on a certain alias “James,” whom he said is an accomplice, to surrender to the authorities so he could also face charges.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will investigate if Boquerin is also involved in other crimes, such as the killing of San Carlos, Pangasinan mayor Julian Rosuello in 2007. —report from Francis Faulve, ABS-CBN News