Child abuse charges vs ex-BFP chief dismissed

A Baguio City judge has dismissed the four counts of child abuse against former Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) chief Mario Tanchanco after the victims — his nieces aged 11 and 12 — backtracked on their statements.

Judge Fernando Vil Pamin—tuan said he has no choice but to dismiss the charges against Tanchanco after the two girls filed their joint affidavit of desistance which, he noted, was genuine and made voluntarily.

With the affidavit of desistance, Pamintuan said in a three-page order that he "believes that the prosecution has insufficient evidence to prove the guilt of (Tanchanco) beyond reasonable doubt in all those four cases."

The two minors, in their original affidavits, alleged that their uncle fondled their private parts while they were en route to Baguio City for a two-day vacation in March 1996. Tanchanco sat in the middle of the two girls in the rear seat.

In May 1997, the children went to the National Bureau of Investigation and filed a complaint for acts of lasciviousness and child abuse against Tanchanco. The Department of Justice investigated the case and later filed it in court.

In their retraction, however, the minors said there was "no truth" to their allegations which, they added, merely stemmed from a "family feud."

They said Tanchanco and his wife, Irene, have "always been good" to them. They added the case came about "out of (their) sympathy" for the unlawful detention of their aunt-guardian Amelia Domantay-Cruz.

"Because of our innocence then, we thought that we can get vengeance and help Mrs. Domantay-Cruz in the process. Now we’re taking back our wrongful accusation against Mr. Tanchanco," they stated in the affidavit of desistance, which Cruz helped prepare.

In 1998, Quezon City Judge Elsa de Guzman also dismissed similar charges against Tanchanco, saying the court had no jurisdiction over the case.

The DOJ had filed cases with the RTCs of Manila, Quezon City and Baguio, saying what transpired was a "continuing offense."

Tanchanco has denied the allegations which, he said, were "fabricated."