BANGUED, Abra – A 42-year old teacher, who allegedly sexually molested a 14year –year old minor thrice, was arrested by combined police operatives and detectives by virtue of a warrant of arrest at barangay Palao here 6:30 pm Monday.
Senior Superintendent Jimmy Catanes, regional director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit – North Central Luzon, identified the arrested rapist as Ernesto Dufale Callena, Jr., 42, married and a teacher by profession.
He was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Corpuz Alzate of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 2 here for rape and violation of the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act with no bail recommended for his temporary liberty.
The case stemmed from the complaint of Aida (not her real name), a 14, from barangay Lipcan, Bangued, Abra and a student of the Sinalang Pilot Elementary School. Records show that the victim went to Bangued municipal police station and reported that a teacher named
Callena sexually molested her on three (3) occasions.
The first incident reportedly happened at about 5:00 PM of March 27, 2014, the second incident of sexual molestation happened at about 8:00 AM of April 23, 2014 and the last sexual abuse on her occurred on July 5, 2014. All of which happened inside the school canteen.
On August 20, 2014, investigators of Bangued MPS filed a case of Rape against said Callena before the Abra Provincial Prosecutors Office under NPSDocket No. I-06-INV-14H-00179.
On May 19, 2015, CIDG Abra received a copy of the Warrant of Arrest of Callena and the subsequent manhunt operation ensued until his arrest on May 25, 2015 that led to the solution of the case.
Callena is now detained at the Abra Provincial Jail awaiting the future action of the court on the cases filed against him.
By Dexter A. See