Former monk indicted for acts of lasciviousness

CEBU, Philippines - The Provincial Prosecutor’s Office has recommended the filing of the acts of lasciviousness charges against former Marian monk Venancio Cabillon after finding probable cause to indict him of the crime. 

Panel of prosecutors Jerome Abarca and Maria Luisa B. Ong said that there was evidence on record showing that the 26-year-old former colleague of Cabillon, whose name is being withheld by The FREEMAN, was allegedly molested by the accused.

“There is evidence on record that the complainant reported the incident right away on the following day to his superior. This immediate reaction of the complainant gives an impression that perhaps the respondent may have indeed committed the supposed acts,” the resolution reads.

The complainant claimed he was sexually molested by Cabillon on December 31, 2008 inside the Marian Monks Monastery.

The complainant, who was then assigned to ring the bell at midnight, said that while waiting for the time to come, he fell asleep and to his surprise he was awakened by Cabillon’s groaning, who he alleged was touching his sex organ.

According to the complainant, he immediately stood up and pushed Cabillon away. It was allegedly the second time that Cabillon did it to him.

He said that his first meeting with Cabillon was in a monastery in Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga while he was yet an aspirant. Cabillon was his Novice Master.

According to the complainant, Cabillon also sexually molested him during that time but he did not have the courage to report it to his superior.

The complainant said he tried his very best to avoid Cabillon until that December 31, 2008 incident wherein the latter took advantage while he was asleep.

Cabillon, in his counter affidavit, claimed that the instant complaint was merely filed to divert the issues from the libel case he filed against the church officials and monks of the MMEA.

Cabillon also claimed that he is a homosexual and has a sexual relationship with the complainant.

Likewise, he alleged that the complainant has other sexual relations inside the monastery. — THE FREEMAN