Man faces kidnap, rape raps; his wife for slay try

A couple in Minglanilla town has been indicted in court for various crimes they allegedly committed against a 15-year-old girl, last November 12.

The man, Miguel Quimada, was accused of kidnapping, illegally detaining, and raping the girl while his wife Mercy was charged with attempted homicide for trying to kill her.

Provincial prosecutor Pepita Jane Petralba approved the filing of separate criminal charges against the couple, based on the recommendation of the assistant prosecutor Nelia Sistoso who studied the case earlier.

Sistoso said kidnapping and rape did not result from a single act and neither one of the offenses a necessary means for committing the other. She said that when the victim was raped several times, the crimes of kidnapping and serious illegal detention were already consummated.

The prosecutor's office recommended a bail bond of P12,000 for Mercy but none for Miguel whose charges are heinous in nature and carry the maximum penalty of death.

According to the charge sheet, Miguel allegedly kidnapped the girl in sitio Bacay at barangay Tulay, Minglanilla, and brought her to a house in barangay Tungkop where he detained her for at least three days while raping her several times.

The victim, whose name is withheld by The Freeman, alleged that Miguel raped her once in the evening of November 12, twice on November 13, another on November 14, and then on the 17th and 18th.

She also accused Mercy of assaulting her and trying to stab her with a knife. - Fred P. Languido