Teen shoplifter accuses cop of rape

An 18-year-old girl in Pasig City arrested for shoplifting early this month has accused a police official of raping her while in his custody for two weeks.

The girl was arrested in a shopping mall on Oct. 2. But instead sending her to the police’s women’s and children’s complaint unit, Inspector Lorenzo Trajano took her into his custody in his office and kept her for 15 days. Trajano heads the local police’s criminal investigation division.

He turned the girl over to Senior Inspector Editha Lee, head of the Women’s and Children’s Complaint Unit, on Oct. 17. The girl had made a complaint but Lee refused to allow reporters to take a look at the police blotter.

Lee explained that reporters could take a look if given a go signal by Pasig City police chief Senior Superintendent Francisco Uyami.

Uyami said there is no formal complaint filed as yet against Trajano.

Uyami urged the girl to file a formal complaint so he could order an investigation.

Records show that the girl was apprehended for shoplifting at Robinsons Metro East by security guards while she was spiriting out several pairs of pants and dresses. She was then turned over to Trajano.

Trajano denied the allegation. He showed reporters a document allegedly signed by the girl stating that she had retracted her accusation.

It also claimed that Trajano took her into custody because she was suffering from flu and he wanted to prevent jail inmates from getting sick.

But reporters noticed an inconsistency in the statement. It listed the girl’s address at West Rembo, Makati City but the police blotter stated that she is a resident of Barangay Sto. Nino in Marikina City.

Trajano challenged the girl to file charges against him so he can clear his name.