Precinct chief charged with raping girl, 15

MANILA, Philippines - A precinct commander of the Parañaque City police was charged yesterday for allegedly raping a 15-year-old high school student Tuesday.

National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Leonardo Espina also ordered the filing of grave misconduct charges against Senior Inspector Mujalni Dugasan, commander of Police Community Precinct 3 in Barangay San Dionisio.

Dugasan, 55, is set to retire in August after 35 years in the police service. He is in danger of losing at least P2.8 million in retirement benefits and P49,000 in monthly pension, Espina said.

Dugasan was charged yesterday with violating Republic Act 8353 (the anti-rape law) in relation to Republic Act 7610 (the anti-child abuse law) before the city prosecutor’s office.

Espina said Dugasan has no pending cases with the city police or the Southern Police District.

Dugasan went into hiding after the girl’s parents formally filed a formal complaint against him, Espina said, adding he had given the precinct chief at least 36 hours before he could be declared absent without leave.

According to a police report, the girl was looking for her friend and went to the police precinct at about 7 p.m. Tuesday to ask for help. Dugasan allegedly asked for her cell phone number and gave her a ride home in his Toyota Innova to Barangay Sto. Niño.

After ordering food at a restaurant, Dugasan drove toward the parking lot of the city police’s headquarters, also in San Dionisio, and reportedly raped the girl in the car at about 8:30 p.m.

Dugasan dropped the teenager in Amvel Subdivision, also in the same barangay.