Woman sues neighbor for rape

Cebu - A 36-year-old married woman with three kids has filed rape charges on Friday against her neighbor in Brgy. Panadtaran, San Frenando for allegedly raping her in April last year while she was watching her kids to sleep.

The said case was lodged before the Regional Trial Court on Friday after the accused failed to submit his counter-affidavit despite the subpoenas sent to him to answer the charges against him.

Perla (not her real name), in her sworn statement before San Fernando Police, said that her neighbor, Richard Bontilao, barged into their house and raped her in the evening sometime in April last year while she was taking her three kids to sleep.

“He held my hand, I shouted for help but he covered my mouth and told me not to make any noise. It was then that he performed the said act,” she said.

The victim, however, said she could no longer recall the exact date of the incident, adding she did not inform anybody about what happened.

She was later forced to tell the truth due to the prodding of her elder sister who heard rumors from neighbors of what happened between her and the suspect.

But Perla said that after the incident happened, she was able to secure a medical certificate as to prove that she was indeed raped by the suspect. — Jasmin R. Uy/WAB (THE FREEMAN)