RP seeks help on fugitive congressman

RP seeks help on fugitive congressman

MANILA (AFP): Philippine police on the trail of a legislator being sought for child rape have asked for help from their counterparts in Indonesia following reports that he may have fled there, a police spokesman said here yesterday.

House of Representatives member Romeo Jalosjos, ordered arrested by a lower court last month on statutory rape charges, was meanwhile recommended for a 60-day suspension by the ethics committee of the chamber, officials said.

Senior Superintendent Enrique Galang said over radio station DZBB that Philippines police have solicited the help of "our counterparts in Indonesia" to help find the fugitive legislator.

"So far, we have had no feedback from our Interpol line," Galang said, referring to the international police network.

A senior police official in the legislator's home region of Mindanao said on Thursday that Jalosjos was seen aboard a speedboat heading south, presumably to Indonesia. The two countries have an extradition treaty.

Statutory rape is punishable by life imprisonment in the Philippines, but prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty for Jalosjos because he was a person in authority.

According to Philippines law, rape is punishable by death if committed by a soldier, a policeman or a member of "any law enforcement agency," but makes no specific mention of legislators.

The House ethics committee late Thursday voted unanimously to recommend the suspension of Jalosjos from his seat. The suspension would take effect if approved by at least a two-thirds vote of the House, which resumes its session on January 20.

The high-profile manhunt is seen here as a test of the government's pledge to apply the law equally to the rich as well as the poor.