ARRESTED. Police arrest 29-year-old Joel C. Leyble, the most wanted person in Western Visayas following a combined operation by police and military authorities in the mountainous area of Sitio Antolihawan, Barangay Toyungan in Calinog town, Iloilo province on Wednesday (July 20, 2022). Leyble is charged with three counts of rape and one count of attempted murder. (Photo courtesy of Calinog Municipal Police Station)
ILOILO CITY – The most wanted person in Western Visayas was arrested early Wednesday morning following an operation by police authorities in the mountainous area of Sitio Antolihawan, Barangay Toyungan in Calinog town, Iloilo province.
Lt. Col. Arnel Solis, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6), identified the suspect as 29-year-old Joel C. Leyble, resident of the said barangay.
The suspect has warrants of arrest for three counts of rape and one count of attempted murder issued by Regional Trial Court, Sixth Judicial Region, Branch 76 Assisting Judge Redentor Eugenio Esperanza on May 5, 2022 and November 9, 2021, respectively.
“This is the second attempt of the operatives to arrest the accused. On the first operation last week he was able to elude arrest because he heard some noise when the police are approaching his house,” said Solis in an interview quoting PRO 6 Director, B/Gen. Flynn Dongbo.
The operation was jointly conducted by the Calinog Municipal Police Station, Regional Intelligence Division 6, Special Action Force, Iloilo Police Provincial Office, Provincial Intelligence Team, Regional Intelligence Unit 6, Lambunao Municipal Police Station, 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 6 and the Philippine Army.
The accused is currently in the custody of Calinog Municipal Police Station for documentation pending turnover to the court.
“No bail is recommended on his rape cases, and PHP120,000 for the attempted murder,” Solis said. (PNA)
