Four men face rape charges

CEBU, Philippines -  Four men are facing multiple rape charges before the Regional Trial Court for allegedly raping a 23-year-old woman who happened to pass by while the suspects were having a drinking spree.

Despite the denial of the accused men, Prosecutor Alex Gabud found enough basis on the victim’s complaint to elevate the multiple rape case against the four accused for allegedly helping each other to sexually abuse the victim.

Facing multiple rape charges are Rene Navarro, 40; Edward Ramonal, 39; Edgar Bayarcal, 29 and Oliver Tabada, 25, all residents of Sitio Panaghiusa, Barangay Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City .

Gabud recommended no bail against the four accused. In his resolution, Gabud said there was enough evidence to prove that the accused men committed the crime.

Based on the victim’s complaint, Gabud said it clearly appears that the accused helped each other in committing the crime.

“Furthermore, respondent had not introduced any sufficient basis why complainant should file the instant case against them if rape did not happen. The testimony of a rape victim is credible where she has no motive to testify against the accused,” the resolution further reads.

In her affidavit, the victim, a resident of Isla Alegre, Barangay Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City, said that on October 9, 2011 between 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. while walking to her boyfriend’s house, she passed by a group of men having drinks.

The victim said one of the men in the group was her friend, Ramonal.

Ramonal allegedly invited her for some drinks and she accepted but when she was about to leave, the victim said she was held by the men and dragged to the house of Tabada where she was sexually abused.

She said the four men left her in Tabada’s house after the incident.

“That after satisfying their lusts, the culprits left and abandoned me at Oliver’s house. That the neighbors who heard me crying went to Oliver’s house and helped me dress up as I was so weak to stand up and dress myself after what the suspects did to me,” the affidavit reads.

The victim revealed that with the help of her friend, she was able to go home and report the incident to the barangay hall.

The accused were arrested by the barangay tanods and brought to the police station.

In his counter-affidavit, Bayarcal denied the charges filed against them claiming they did not rape the victim.

“That rape could not happen in the house of Oliver as there were many people or visitors of Aniceta Dinampo and the latter’s house is very close to the former’s house,” Bayarcal said.

He said they helped Dinampo in the preparation of food. — (FREEMAN)