Police in Balamban, Cebu, have arrested a 60-year-old grandfather accused of sexually assaulting his three granddaughters over a prolonged period. The suspect, identified only by the alias Jose, was apprehended on the evening of Tuesday, January 6, 2026, in Barangay Arpili.
Warrant Served in Mountain Hideout
Acting on a tip-off, officers from the Balamban Police Station located the suspect hiding in a mountainous area of Arpili with relatives. Police Captain John Kennedy Pajantoy, the Deputy Chief of Police, confirmed that his team swiftly served the warrant of arrest issued by Judge Jerome Abarca of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 8 in Toledo City.
The arrest warrant covers grave charges, including one count of Qualified Rape and five separate counts of Acts of Lasciviousness. Due to the severity of these allegations, Jose has been listed as the Top 7 Most Wanted Person at the Regional Level.
Granddaughters Endure Years of Abuse
The victims are the suspect's own granddaughters, now aged 14, 18, and 25. According to the police investigation, the sexual abuse had been ongoing for a significant time before the victims found the courage to report it.
Authorities stated that Jose allegedly exploited his granddaughters through intimidation and by leveraging his position. He was reportedly financing their education, which he used as a tool of control and fear. Unable to bear the abuse any longer, the three sisters finally confessed the ordeal to their mother, who is the suspect's own daughter.
Suspect Denies Allegations, Blames Family Dispute
Following his arrest, the grandfather vehemently denied all accusations leveled against him. In his defense, he claimed the charges were fabricated and stemmed from a personal misunderstanding with his son-in-law, the father of the victims. He alleged the complaint was manufactured solely to tarnish his reputation.
Despite his protests, the suspect remains detained at the Balamban Police Station as legal proceedings begin. The case has sent shockwaves through the local community, highlighting the grim reality of familial abuse.
The arrest on January 6, 2026, marks a critical step in the pursuit of justice for the three young women, who bravely stepped forward to end the cycle of abuse perpetrated by a figure who should have been their protector.
