“Pastor” arrested for attempted rape

CEBU, Philippines - A 51-year-old man who pretended to be a pastor of the 7th-Day Adventist was arrested by the police after he attempted to rape a teenager in Samboan, Cebu, Tuesday.

 Based on the investigation, the victim, whose name is withheld, was taking a bath when the suspect identified as Edilberto R. Anuos, a native of Tungawan, Tambulig, Zamboanga Del Sur, barged into the bathroom and tried to rape her. Since the bathroom is situated outside their house, the victim’s family did not notice the incident immediately until the victim screamed and asked for help.

 The father of the victim caught and punched Anuos repeatedly until the police officers came.

 SPO1 Neil Seno, who responded to the call, told The FREEMAN that if they hadn’t responded quickly, Anuos might have been killed by the father due to anger. Furthermore, Seno said that Anuos is a friend of the victim’s elder sister in the social networking site, Facebook.

 â€œFriends ni sa Facebook ang suspek ug ang maguwang sa biktima, unya nag ka textmate pud na sila. Kadugayan, nianhi sa Cebu ang suspek ug nibisita sabalay sa biktima unya nagpaila kini nga usa kunu siya ka pastor sa 7th-Day Adventist maong nakasalig dayun ang pamilya sa biktima. (The suspect and the victim’s elder sister were Facebook friends and textmates. Later on, the suspect came to Cebu and visited the victim’s house introducing himself as a pastor of the 7th Day Adventist, making the victim’s family trust him),” Seno said.

 The victim’s family decided to let the suspect stay in their house for a few days without any hint Anuos could do such thing. The victim is now in Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center and is escorted by an officer from the Women’s and Children’s Desk Office alongside her father.

 SPO1 Seno said that the victim is in a state of trauma due to what happened to her. “Na trauma jud ang bata unya iya ra jung papa ang iyang hangupon. Mahadlok na siya mudoul ug laing taw (The child was really traumatized, and she only goes to her father. She’s afraid to approach other people).” said Seno.

Meanwhile, the filing of the case is on the process, while the suspect is temporarily detained at the town’s police station. — (FREEMAN)