2 teens nabbed for deaf-mute's rape in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA City, Philippines - Police arrested two teenagers for allegedly raping a 22-year-old deaf-mute woman in Baliguian, Zamboanga del Norte over the weekend.

Police said that the victim's father discovered the incident on Friday night.

The father saw his daughter, whose name was withheld for her protection, being sexually abused by one of the suspects right inside the comfort room of their own home in Barangay Mamawan.

The victim's parents immediately reported the incident to the police the following day, which led to the arrest of the 16-year-old suspect.

Police Officer 2 Floreza Compis Espinosa of the Women’s and Children's Desk of the Baliguian Municipal Police Station said another suspect, also a teenager, voluntarily surrendered.

The boy identified two more teenagers who also allegedly raped the deaf-mute victim.

Espinosa said that according to the victim, she was raped on several occassions by the same suspects prior to the crime's discovery on Friday night.

“The arrested suspects have admitted to the crime,” according to Espinosa, who escorted the suspects Monday for inquest proceedings at the local court.

She said the suspects will be turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for custody and rehabilitation.