DSWD volunteers rape girl, 16

Two volunteers at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Manila’s Reception and Action Center (RAC) were charged for raping a 16-year-old girl.

Paul Benson, 27; and Raymond Villajuan, alias Mariano de Guzman, 39, were charged with rape in relation to Republic Act 7610, the law against child abuse. Assistant City Prosecutor Carmen de Jesus-Ogad recommended no bail be granted the suspects.

Ogad said the victim’s mental condition is that of a child, and she is unable to protect herself from being abused.

The victim said Benson and De Guzman raped her when they gave her a bath at the RAC infirmary on Arroceros street in Ermita early morning on Aug. 2, 2007.

During the preliminary investigation, RAC infirmary staff Emmie Eleceno said the victim told her about the rape. She also said that before she learned about the abuse, she even scolded the two suspects for giving the girl a bath so early in the morning.

In filing the charges against the two men, Ogad said that despite the victim’s inability to communicate in a straightforward manner, she was able to elicit from the victim the information vital to “determining the liability of the two men.”

Villajuan admitted having sex with the girl, but insisted that it was consensual since neither of them “sustained any injury.”

However, Ogad disregarded his claim, saying a medico-legal report confirmed that the victim had been abused. – Sandy Araneta