"Quack doctor" indicted for raping patient; man accused of raping niece hangs self

CEBU, Philippines - A man accused of raping his 11-year old niece strangled himself to death in Barangay Pamutan, Cebu City while a quack doctor in Oslob, town was charged with rape before the court for allegedly raping a 13-year old patient.

Ram Juniper Ibanalo, 33, was found hanging on a mango tree in Sitio Kabatbatan, Barangay Pamutan, Cebu City last Monday afternoon. Ibanalo used a three meter long water hose to tie his neck.

Ibanalo’s uncle, Serapion, said he believe his nephew killed himself because of shame after having accused of raping his niece. In fact, he was being hunted down by the police since last week.

He was accused of raping his niece since she was nine years old.

On the other hand, Eliseo Emia, a known quack doctor in Oslob, was indicted for raping his 13 year old girl patient last March.

Emia, resident of Barangay Looc, Oslob, Cebu, was charged with rape in relation to Republic Act 7610 otherwise known as the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act before the Regional Trial Court.

In a resolution indicting Emia, the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office found probable cause to charge the accused in court.

The case stemmed from the complaint of the 13-year old victim who was brought by her mother to Emia last March for check up because of skin disease.

The victim, name withheld, claimed that the accused stripped her of her clothes and performed the “tuob” (a primitive way of healing similar to steam bath). According to the victim, the accused insisted of performing the process inside the room instead of doing it in the living room.

On the process, the accused allegedly took advantage and raped her. The accused failed to submit his counter-affidavit prompting the prosecutor’s office to elevate the case in court. – Niña G. Sumacot and Mylen P. Manto/FPL (THE FREEMAN)