By Nef Luczon
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 9 in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, has denied bail for Pangantucan Mayor Miguel Silva Jr., who is facing statutory rape charges.
During a press briefing Monday, Col. Jovit Culaway, director of the Bukidnon Provincial Police Office (BukPPO), said the arrest warrant, signed by RTC Branch 9 Judge Ma. Theresa Camannong, included a no-bail recommendation for the rape charge against Silva.
The 59-year-old mayor was arrested Sunday night in Compostela Valley through the coordinated efforts of Davao de Oro police and BukPPO. He also faces two counts of sexual assault, for which bail was set at PHP100,000.
“We have been monitoring him for over a month. Although he previously stated in media interviews that he would surrender, he never did,” Culaway said.
Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao Director Brig. Gen. Jaysen de Guzman said they will enforce the law, regardless of an individual’s status or position.
“This operation was the result of months of intelligence gathering and careful planning by regional and local police forces,” he said. (PNA)
