Drunk man arrested for abusing 11-year-old

CEBU, Philippines - An 11-year-old child was allegedly sexually abused inside their house by a drunk man at around 1:00 a.m. in Barangay Basdiot, Moalboal Cebu last Saturday.

The suspect, Francis Tapales, 21, of Sitio Panagsama, Barangay Basdiot was arrested during a follow-up operation conducted by the police.

 According to the child, she was left alone in their house while her mother was in Sitio Panagsama selling souvenir products.

While she was sleeping soundly, the suspect, who she said was drunk, sneaked inside their house, molested and sexually abused her.

The suspect then quickly escaped from the house.

After learning of the incident, the enraged mother immediately went to the Moalboal Police Station and sought assistance to arrest the suspect.

PO2 Johnny Marquiño and PO2 Edwin Illut arrested Tapales, who was sleeping in his grandmother’s house.

PO2 Illut said the suspect initially refused to go with them, saying he wanted to sleep some more as he was tired.

But the police succeeded in persuading Tapales to go with them. The suspect is now detained at the Moalboal Police Station and charges will be filed against him tomorrow.

PO2 Jennelyn Awe of the Moalboal Women’s Desk said that based on her interview with the child, she woke up with the suspect on top of her and she no longer had any underwear.

The suspect was kissing the child, who told the police that she was able to run to another room but it was locked. At this point, Tapales reportedly left the house.

Awe said that the child cried and trembled with fear upon seeing Tapales at the police station. — (FREEMAN)