Priest in rape charge stops holding Masses

The parish priest of barangay Maslog, Danao City decided yesterday to stop officiating daily Masses following the filing of the rape complaint by an 18-year-old woman against him.

This developed as barangay and city officials expressed surprise by the rape charges against Fr. Jose 'Joey' Belcina.

Rev. Reynaldo T. Cui, a deacon at the Saint Francis de Assisi Parish in barangay Maslog, told The Freeman that Belcina was scheduled to officiate five regular Masses yesterday.

But because of the controversy, Cui said Belcina decided not to officiate the regular Masses. However, the scheduled Masses would continue with a priest from neighboring parishes as celebrant.

In an interview with reporters, Belcina repeatedly denied raping the girl, a worker at the church, who claimed that the priest has been paying for her school tuition fees.

Belcina refused to issue further statements as he was still waiting for the copy of the formal complaint, which he would refer to his lawyer. He was in Dalaguete town when the news about the filing of rape charges against him broke out.

"Andam si Father Belcina nga tubagon kining tanang mga pasangil batok kaniya aron pagmatuod nga wala siyay nahimong kasal-anan," said Cui, who admitted that they were surprised by the allegation.

Cui said the motive of the complainant was questionable, especially when the media were immediately informed about the filing of the case. He added that they were informed that the filing of the case before the Danao City Prosecutor's Office was around 3 p.m. and it was aired on television at 6 p.m.

Cui also questioned the filing of the case when the reported rape, based on the complaint by the alleged victim, happened last year. The parish pastoral council will meet today to discuss the matter.

The rape charges against the priest drew mixed reactions from city and barangay officials.

Danao City Mayor Ramon "Nito" Durano III told The Freeman that he was surprised when his staff informed him about the case last Friday when he and his family arrived from Japan.

Maslog barangay captain Josefina Quiros said she knew about the case Friday evening during the regular session of the barangay council.

Quiros admitted that the news affected the image of the barangay, but she said she is hoping that the issue will be discussed at the proper venue.

Provincial Board Member Agnes Magpale, meanwhile, promised to look into the allegation.

In her complaint, the woman, a resident of barangay Sabang, alleged that the priest raped her three times since last year. The first alleged rape happened on July 22, 2005 inside a room at the convent.

The second incident allegedly happened last December 25 when she was preparing food during the party at the church. Balcina reportedly asked her to go to his room so she can wash his underwear, and then allegedly raped her after she was done massaging him.

The third incident happened last January 28 when she went to the church to see Belcina to ask for money for her school project. The woman said she had accepted the priest's offer in 2004 to shoulder her school fees. - Jose P. Sollano