Man accused of raping friend

CEBU, Philippines - A rape case is set to be filed today against a 24-year-old laborer who was accused of sexually abusing his cousin’s girlfriend last Sunday dawn in Barangay Cabcaban, Barili town.

The case will be filed before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office against Arnel Villacencio, a resident of Barangay Tal-ot, Barili, and a friend of the victim.

Villacencio was arrested by the Barili police in his house and is now temporarily detained at the police stockade.

Prior to the incident, the victim, a resident of Barangay Tubod, alleged that she was with her friends together with Villacencio attending a benefit dance in Barangay Cabcaban.

The victim said she was already drunk when she noticed that her cellular phone was missing. She went around looking for it but could not find it. Villacencio offered to help her find it and accompanied her outside the dance floor.

Upon reaching a dark portion of the barangay, Villacencio allegedly took advantage of her weakness, pulled her towards a grassy and secluded area and there she was sexually abused.

SPO1 Esteliore Cañete, Women’s and Children’s Protection Desk officer of the Barili Police Station, said that victim tried fighting back at Villacencio but she was overpowered.

Cañete said that nobody heard the victim because of the loud music coming from the disco and her boyfriend was not around at that time.

Villacencio, when interrogated by the police, denied the allegation that he raped the victim.

The victim was taken for a medical examination to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City in preparation for the filing of charges.

“Kinahanglan namo ang medical but karon gi-prepare na nako ang kinahanglanon sa kaso,” Cañete said. – (FREEMAN)