Raps filed vs man who sexually abused 12-year-old neighbor

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Cebu City Prosecutor indicted a resident of Barangay Bacayan for allegedly sexually abusing a 12-year-old neighbor. 

Prosecutor Aurora Peñaflor held the accused for trial after finding probable cause for violating Section 5 of Republic Act 7610, or the Child Abuse Act, and for acts of lasciviousness. 

The FREEMAN is withholding the names of the victim and the accused owing to the sensitive nature of the case.

The accused allegedly sexually abused the minor inside his house at around 10 p.m. on September 6 this year.

In her affidavit, the victim said her neighbor grabbed her, pulled down her shorts and underwear, and did sexual acts on her. 

Accompanied by her aunt, the girl filed a complaint for attempted rape against the accused. 

However, Peñaflor resolved to charge the accused for violation of Section 5 of RA 7610 and for acts of lasciviousness in relation to the said section based on the elements present in the case. 

“From the allegation in the complaint, the undersigned submits that there exists probable cause to charge respondent with acts of lasciviousness in relation to Sec. 5 (b) of RA 7610 considering that complainant is under twelve years of age,” one of Peñaflor’s two resolutions read. 

In an inquest proceeding before the state prosecutor, the accused chose to answer the allegations against him.

However, he failed to submit his counter-affidavit within the period given to him. 

This prompted Peñaflor to elevate the case to the Regional Trial Court based on the evi-dence submitted by the victim. 

For his temporary liberty, the accused was recommended to pay P120,000 bail on the charge of child abuse and P160,000 bail for acts of lasciviousness. — (FREEMAN)