Boatman accused of "raping" minor

CEBU - A boatman in Hilutungan Island in Cordova town surrendered yesterday morning after a 10-year-old girl accused him of raping her early evening last Saturday.

Kelvin Fernando, 25, a boatman working for a Korean restaurant, personally surrendered to barangay councilman Fedelino Arong who turned him over to the Cordova police for the filing of formal charges.

PO3 Rolando Tagsip said that late afternoon last Saturday, the owner of the boarding house occupied by Fernando asked the victim to fetch the suspect because the latter’s wife had arrived from a neighboring island.

On the way home after fetching Fernando, the victim said the suspect allegedly suddenly grabbed her and dragged her to a dark area where he allegedly raped her.

The girl said Fernando allegedly warned her not to tell anybody but she still told her relatives about the incident.

Fernando’s wife reportedly heard her story.

That same night, the Women’s Desk of the Cordova police then brought the victim to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center for medical examination. Results of the tests have yet to be released. — Ferliza C. Contratista and Darrel A. Carrumba of Banat News/JMO (THE FREEMAN)