PNP gate closes for rape suspect

City Mayor Gerardo Valmayor, Jr. has ordered City Local Government Operations Officer Marissa Costello to withdraw his recommendation for the Women's Center rape suspect.

Niel Bantilao, a casual employee of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) who allegedly raped a female minor, applied for training with the Philippine National Police (PNP). Valmayor recommended him but upon learning of his alleged crime through the NewsRecord column 'Bantay Banat' of veteran newsman Rics Cañizares he asked that Bantilao's name be deleted.

Although the mayor confirmed that no legal action has been taken against the suspect yet, he ordered CSWDO head Cynthia Mirande to investigate the matter.

Further, he told NRWP in an interview that he regrets that he only learned about the issue way after it happened. He said that he finds it perplexing that a grave crime had been committed against a minor under the city's custody.

The victim was arrested by the local police together with several others for violating the city's Curfew Ordinance. They were brought to the Women's Center, across the police station, where the crime is said to have happened.