Man charged in court for "harassing" minor

CEBU, Philippines - Prosecutors have found probable cause to charge a man in court for allegedly abusing a 16-year-old girl sexually August last year.

The City Prosecutor’s Office filed a case for alleged violation of Section 5, Article III of Republic Act 7610 or the anti- child abuse law Mario Villasica, a resident of barangay Talamban.

In his resolution, Prosecutor Jose Nathaniel Andal said Villasica’s defense of alibi, being unsubstantiated by clear convincing evidence were negative and self-serving and undeserving of any weight in law.

The 16-year-old complaint alleged that August 16, 2008, while she was crushing ice in the kitchen of Villasica’s house, the respondent allegedly kissed her neck and removed her t-shirt while fondling her breasts.

Villasica allegedly threatened to kill her if she would tell anyone of the incident. The complainant was attending to the respondent’s sari-sari store at that time.

In his counter-affidavit, Villasica denied the accusations, saying he was with his wife in Danao City during that time to attend a wedding.

Villasica said the girl reportedly had a grudge against him he reportedly caught her stealing proceeds from the store last June 29, 2008.

But prosecutors said, “respondent could only surmise that complainant was motivated by ill will when she filed the instant complaint.” — Jasmin R. Uy/JMO (THE FREEMAN)