A police lieutenant accused of raping a 14-year-old girl in Ginatilan town, Cebu, is now the subject of a manhunt by the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO).
The victim, a Grade 9 student from Barangay Poblacion II, Malabuyoc, accused Police Lt. Jephte D. Bariga, officer-in-charge of Malabuyoc Police Station, of sexual assault. The incident allegedly happened in Barangay San Roque, Ginatilan, around 12:20 a.m. on September 28.
Later that day, at around 10:30 p.m., the victim and her family reported the incident to the Ginatilan Municipal Police Station. Authorities immediately launched a hot pursuit operation until 8 a.m. the following day but failed to locate the suspect at his police station.
On September 30, CPPO confirmed that manhunt operations are ongoing after initial follow-up efforts yielded no results. The case was already elevated to Police Brigadier General Redrico Maranan, regional director of Police Regional Office (PRO)-7, who immediately ordered Bariga’s relief effective September 28.
The suspect was also directed to surrender his service firearm and Philippine National Police (PNP) identification card.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Headquarters and the Women and Children Protection Desk assisted the victim in her medical examination and provided her and her family with security detail.
To prevent Bariga’s escape, lookout bulletins were issued to all seaports and airports across Cebu. CPPO has also coordinated with local officials and the suspect’s family for his surrender.
CPPO officer-in-charge Police Colonel Abubakar Mangelen Jr. assured the public of accountability in handling the case.
‘The Cebu Police Provincial Office remains committed to upholding justice, accountability, and integrity. We assure the public that justice will be served,’ said Mangelen.
Bariga is set to face administrative and criminal charges for violations of Republic Act 8353, or the Anti-Rape Law of 1997, as amended by Republic Act 11648 on statutory rape.