No bail for man who ‘raped, drugged’ minor

CEBU, Philippines — A man was charged for allegedly raping his 16-year-old neighbor after forcing her to use illegal drugs.

The FREEMAN is withholding the names of the parties due to the sensitive nature of the case.

Deputy City Prosecutor Maria Theresa Calibugan-Casiño held the accused after finding probable cause for two counts of rape under Article 266-A of the Revised Penal Code.

The prosecutor has recommended no bail against the suspect, a resident of Barangay Basak Pardo in Cebu City.

"It is undisputed that respondent had carnal knowledge with the victim. He employed force when he forcibly pulled complainant and brought her inside a vacant house, covered her mouth to stop her from shouting."

"Likewise, complainant could not fully protect herself because she was in a drugged state during the commission of the crime," said Casiño.

In her sworn-statement, the victim alleged that the suspect “entered their house, pulled and brought her to an abandon house,” just near their house at around 12 a.m. in January 2018.

She said she was forced to take illegal drugs.

When she refused, she said, the suspect threatened to kill her and her family. The suspect was allegedly armed with a knife.

She said she tried to escape, but failed. She also said she tried to call for help, but the suspect covered her mouth.

She said the suspect raped her after forcing her to take illegal drugs.

The abuse, she said, continued until July last year.

Casiño issued a subpoena directing the suspect to answer the accusations hurled against him, but failed.

With the evidence presented, Casiño found sufficient ground to elevate the cases in court.  (FREEMAN)