Houseboy nabbed for "raping" girlfriend

CEBU, Philippines - A 20-year-old houseboy was arrested for allegedly raping his 15-year-old girlfriend, who works in the same house with him in Barangay Banilad, Cebu City early morning Thursday.

Joseph Nuñez Espra was arrested and detained while the victim underwent a medical examination at a hospital in the city.

The girl’s mother was the one who sought the assistance of the Investigation and Detective Management Branch (IDMB) of the Cebu City Police Office for the arrest of the suspect.

Espra, who temporarily resides with his aunt on A. Wireless, Subangdaku, Mandaue City and hails from Buenavista, Bohol, was arrested at 1 a.m. yesterday at the house where both he and the victim worked as stay-in house helpers.

The victim’s mother told the police that her daughter alleged the suspect raped her at around midnight Wednesday at the rooftop of a building in the same barangay.

Interviewed at his detention cell, Espra claimed what happened between him and the victim was of their own willing. He added he intended beforehand to marry her.

The victim’s mother, who also works as stay-in househelp with both the victim and suspect, was allegedly prompted to ask for police assistance after seeing a kiss mark on her daughter’s neck.

IDMB chief George Ylanan said they are still waiting for the result of the medical examination on the victim before they proceed with the filing of a rape case against the suspect. (FREEMAN)