
ILOILO – Western Visayas’ most wanted person – a rape suspect who was further charged with attempted murder – was arrested before dawn yesterday in the remote Sitio Antolihawan, Barangay Toyungan, Calinog town.
The 29-year-old Joel Leyble of Barangay Toyungan offered no resistance when cops served him warrants of arrest at around 3:40 a.m.
According to Police Brigadier General Flynn Dongbo, regional police director, this was the second attempt to arrest Leyble.
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The first attempt was last week but the suspect managed to flee.
The arrest warrants were issued by Assisting Judge Redentor Eugenio Esperanza of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 76 (Janiuay, Iloilo) for three counts of rape and attempted murder.
The arrest warrant for rape was issued just this May 5, 2022 while that for attempted murder was issued on Nov. 9, 2021 yet.
No bail was recommended on Leyble’s rape cases but for his attempted murder case, the court set the bail bold at P120,000.
From what the police so far gathered, the rape incidents happened sometime in 2020 and 2021 while the attempted murder transpired on May 2021.
The serving of the arrest warrants were a joint effort of the Calinog police station, Regional Intelligence Division of the Police Regional Office 6, Special Action Force, Iloilo Police Provincial Office’s Intelligence Team, Lambunao police station, 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company, Regional Mobile Force Battalion and the Philippine Army.
According to Calinog police chief, Major Dadjie Delima, some 60 police personnel surrounded Leyble’s house, giving the suspect no chance to flee.
The complainant in Leyble’s rape case was the 16-year-old younger sister of his former live-in partner, said Delima.
The youngster claimed the rape took place on Jan. 20 2021, April 20, 2022 and May 26, 2022.
As for Leyble’s attempted murder case, Delima said a certain Sonny claimed the suspect tried to shoot him with a .45 pistol but the gun malfunctioned.
“Congratulations for this accomplishment. Your action bespeaks of your dedication and commitment in our campaign against wanted persons,” said Dongbo.
He added: “May this arrest serve as a stern warning to the remaining wanted individuals in the region. You cannot hide forever. The long arm of the law will catch you.”
Leyble was taken to the Calinog police station./PN