Gang rape suspect surrenders at CIDG

CEBU, Philippines - A 16-year-old boy who has been wanted for rape since October last year surrendered yesterday to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7.

CIDG Cebu Province chief Germano Mallari said that the surrender was a product of an intense negotiation between them and the parents of the boy.

Mallari said the boy has a pending warrant of arrest for rape issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Hermes Montero in Toledo City last year because of his involvement in the alleged gang rape of a 15-year-old girl in Tabuelan town in April last year.

According to Mallari, the 43-year-old mother of the accused helped them negotiate for the surrender.

The accused is one of the three accused tagged by the victim who allegedly took turn in raping her after attending a benefit dance during a fiesta.

The boy, who is a 4th year high school student at a private school in Barangay San Nicolas, denied any participation of the alleged gang rape.

He said he was only enjoying the night with his two female cousins and even left early for home during the alleged rape incident.

"I met her (victim) at the dance floor after she invited me to dance with her but I declined," he said. The boy is currently under the custody of CIDG-7, while he is set to be presented in court. –(FREEMAN)