Tuburan councilman's daughter files rape charge vs. stepdad

CEBU, Philippines - A 13-year-old daughter of a barangay councilman has filed charges of rape and other acts of sexual abuse against her stepfather before the Regional Trial Court on Friday.

The girl claimed that she has been sexually abused by her stepfather since she was seven years old.

The girl, whose biological father is a barangay councilman of Tuburan, in her affidavit, said that sometime in August 13, 2001, her stepfather barged into their room while she and her brother was sleeping.

She added her stepfather started holding her private part and eventually inserted his finger into it.

The girl said that there were lots of instances where her stepfather would do it to her but she did not report the matter as she was afraid to do so.

However, she added that the accused had successfully raped her for many occasions and the last incident happened on April 12, 2008.

A subpoena has been sent to the suspect but no reply was made thus the filing of the case. — Jasmin R. Uy/WAB (THE FREEMAN)