Minor nabbed for raping cousin

CEBU, Philippines - A 17-year-old boy was arrested by the Dalaguete police after he was accused of raping his 15-year-old cousin last Tuesday morning in the mountain barangay of Nalhub, Dalaguete.

The suspect, who was about to elude arrest, was apprehended in Barangay Mantalongon, during the hot pursuit operation.

A case for rape in relation to RA 7610 or Special Protection of Children

Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act was filed yesterday at the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office against the suspect.

The case was filed after the Municipal Social Welfare and Development

Office issued a certificate of discernment.

Medical examination conducted by the physician of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City showed there was indeed a laceration on the victim’s private part.

Insp. Dexter Basirgo, Dalaguete police chief, said the victim was walking home and was accompanied by the suspect when the incident happened.

Upon reaching a secluded portion of the place, the suspect suddenly held the victim tight and pulled out a knife from his waist, aimed it at the victim and threatened her.

“Kung di ka musogot sa akong gusto, lubaon tika! (If you will not give in to what I want, I will stab you,)” which frightened the victim.

It was at this point when the suspect demanded that the victim take off her clothes, forced her to lie down on the ground and then molested her.

The victim hurriedly left and informed her parents of what had happened which prompted them to seek police assistance.

Basirgo said they could not tell if the suspect was under the influence of liquor or illegal drugs at the time of the incident pending liquor and drug tests.

“Pero sa akong tan-aw murag wala may sinyales nga hubog or high sa druga siya atong higayona. (He didn’t look drunk or high on drugs at that time.)” Basirgo said in a phone interview.

Basirgo added that the victim will be temporarily put under the custody of the MSWDO due to possible revenge from the suspect’s family.

The victim will also be subjected to a stress debriefing.— (FREEMAN)