DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 9 in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, has issued a warrant of arrest against Pangantucan town Mayor Miguel Silva Jr. for charges of sexual assault and statutory rape.
The warrant, signed by RTC Branch 9 Presiding Judge Ma. Theresa Aban Cammanong, was issued on December 10, 2024, as confirmed by documents obtained by Newsline Philippines.
The charges include two counts of sexual assault, for which the court set bail at ₱100,000, and statutory rape, a non-bailable offense.
Silva, who is running for the gubernatorial seat in Bukidnon, has reportedly gone into hiding following the issuance of the arrest warrant.
This prompted the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to appoint Vice Mayor Manolito Garces as acting mayor. Garces officially took his oath of office on December 20, 2024.
Colonel Jovit Culaway, director of the Bukidnon Provincial Police Office, confirmed that they received a copy of the warrant on December 10.
“We tried to locate him immediately and, after 10 days, decided to furnish his office a copy to update the court,” Culaway said.
Culaway said they also provided copies of the warrant to the DILG, National Police Commission (Napolcom), and Silva’s office. Despite these efforts, Silva remained at large.
“We are still conducting operations to locate him,” Cullaway added. “We now consider him as a wanted person,” Culaway told Newsline.
On the same day, the warrant was issued, around 400 of Silva’s supporters gathered at Malaybalay Freedom Park in front of the RTC office. During the rally, supporters claimed that the charges against Silva were politically motivated, and they asserted his innocence.
As acting mayor, Vice Mayor Garces now assumes the responsibilities of Pangantucan’s municipal government during this politically charged and contentious period. The case has sparked widespread debate in Bukidnon, with authorities under pressure to ensure justice while navigating the political tensions surrounding the allegations. – Rappler.com
