Man indicted for raping minor

CEBU, Philippines - A man was indicted by the Cebu Prosecutor’s Office for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl in Barangay Punta Princesa, Cebu City more than a year ago.

In elevating the case to the court, Prosecutor Simaco Labata has recommended no bail for Wilfredo dela Cerna, who was charged for allegedly raping the minor sometime in December 2008 at Mercados Compound, Tres de Abril. The victim told PO1 Michelle B. Dongcoy of Women and Children Protection Desk that while she was waiting for her cousin, the suspect appeared and covered her mouth, and brought her to a secluded place where he was raped by the suspect.

During investigation, the victim however told police that she could no longer remember the date of the sexual abuse.

The victim’s aunt, Avelina Obiedo, brought her to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, where she was found to have been sexually abused during examination.

The result of the examination was made the basis for the filing of a rape charge against Dela Cerna.

Dela Cerna, however, denied the accusation.

But the prosecutor said “the medical certificate of the victim indicates a finding upon examination of the hymen of the victim that it cannot be denied that the victim-minor had sexual intercourse.” — Mylen P. Manto, CNU Intern/LPM   Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon with CNU intern Mellanie Joy C. Rosales/MEEV