CEBU - Four boys, aged 18 to 20, were arrested for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl in Villarosa, Poblacion Occidental, Consolacion town, last Friday night.
But police said that out of the four suspects, only Angelo Jarapan, 19, succeeded in actually raping the victim and is now facing a charge of rape. Authorities are still studying what charges to file against his three accomplices, John Carlo Bentalan, 20; Daniel Lepiten, 19; and Joriz Pedrorano, 18; all residents of Purok 5, barangay Nangka, Consolacion for helping Jarapan.
Police investigations revealed that the victim, who is a resident of Labogon, Mandaue City, went to the area with a friend supposedly to watch an intramurals.
In the process, the two girls allegedly got acquainted with the suspects who invited them to have a drink.
Sensing the ill motives of the suspects, the two girls allegedly declined, but the victim later changed her mind and to stay and have a drink with the four boys.
When the victim got drunk, the suspects reportedly brought her to a grassy lot.
Without their knowing, a resident spotted what was happening and phoned the Consolacion police station informing them about the suspicious youngsters spotted at the said place with a female companion.
Responding policeman composed of SPO3 Hercules Aligno and PO3 Allan Maglangit together with Barangay Intelligence Network members went to the scene and arrested the suspects.
Police said Jarapan had already raped the victim, while the three other suspects were just watching and waiting for their turns.
The suspects, who were positively identified by the victim, were brought to the police station for detention and filing of charges. — Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot/WAB (THE FREEMAN)