Minors sue 'bra-wearing' man

CEBU, Philippines - A man is now facing three counts of acts of lasciviousness after he failed to refute the allegations that he molested three minor boys in his house in Panas, Barangay Balirong, Naga City.

Elmer Heronjo alias “Yads”, a farmer, was accused of touching the boys’ private parts and even asked one of the victims to “fix his bra”.

He is now faced with three counts of acts of lasciviousness in relation to Republic Act 7610 or child abuse before the Regional Trial Court after Naga City Prosecutor Napoleon Alburo elevated the case to the court.

 Alburo recommended P240,000 for three counts.

 In his resolution, Alburo stated he sent subpoena to Heronjo directing him to file his counter-affidavit to the complaints filed by three minors’ ages 17 and two 14 year-old boys.

 However, the Heronjo did not file his counter-affidavit prompting Alburo to file the case in the court after he also found probable cause.

 “Respondent has not submitted his counter-affidavit and other controverting evidence and he even refused to sign the subpoena when it was served to him by PO2 Jeremias Geromo which can be considered as waiver on his part to refute the allegations of the complainant,” resolution reads.

In the statements of the victims, they said there were times they were together with the accused.

One 14-year-old victim said that at 1:00 p.m. on April 15, 2011 he was watching the movie “Batman” in the house of the accused who allegedly molested him by touching his legs, stomach and then inserted his fingers inside the boy’s shorts.

A 17-year-old boy also said that on June 30, 2011 at 2:00 p.m., Heronjo invited him and his cousin to put some fertilizers on the corn in his farm.

He said that after putting fertilizers on the plants, they rested for a while.

The accused then commanded his cousin to buy a cigarette in the nearest store which is about one kilometer from the farm.

 The minor said Heronjo who was inside the shanty, called and asked him to remove and then fix his bra.

The boy added that after fixing Heronjo’s bra, the accused started molesting him by holding his private part.

The 17-year-old said the accused told him not to tell anybody because he did not like to have a bad record.

 The other victim, another 14-year-old boy, said he was allegedly molested by the accused on June 3, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. inside the shanty. (FREEMAN)