Dean accused of molesting girl

CEBU, Philippines - A dean of a state-run university in Cebu City is accused of molesting a 16-year-old girl inside a motel room in Mandaue City last week.

Cornelio Duazo, 50, dean of the College of Engineering at the Cebu Technological University, is now facing a complaint of acts of lasciviousness filed before the Mandaue City Prosecutor’s Office on Monday.

But Duazo, who resigned from the school on Monday, denied molesting the girl, a mechanical engineering student.

SPO2 Rowena Peñaflor of the Women’s Desk of the Subangdaku Police Station told The FREEMAN that the incident took place on August 29.

Her ordeal

Based on her account to the police, the victim was on her way to school from her home in Barangay Yati in Liloan when she met Duazo upon reaching the North Bus Terminal around 4 p.m.

She claimed that the suspect, who was riding his car, offered her a ride as he was also going to the school.

She said she refused at first but due to Duazo’s persistence, she was forced to board his car.

But she said she was surprised that the suspect brought her to a motel at the North Reclamation area.

The victim said she remained in the car but Duazo ordered her to follow him to the room.

But since she did not obey, the suspect allegedly got irked and forced her to get off and let her follow him towards the room. (FREEMAN)