Negros councilor charged with rape

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – A 66-year-old councilor of Himamaylan City in this province is facing charges for allegedly raping a minor.

The case against Harry Tian was filed with the Himamaylan regional trial court Monday morning, said Police Officer 2 Aireen Taco, head of the Women and Children’s Protection Desk  (WCPD) of the Himamaylan police.

Tian’s lawyer said the complaint is all about “money and politics.”

Taco said the 16-year-old victim alleged the councilor molested her several times while she was working as a babysitter of his two grandchildren. The victim also claimed the sexual abuse started after she was hired by the suspect two years ago.

She said the victim did not tell anybody about the abuse because the councilor allegedly threatened her.

Taco said the victim escaped one day after she was allegedly molested by the councilor last week, and decided to file a complaint.

The WCPD head said the victim also secretly took a video of the councilor, using her cellphone, as she was being abused.