Woman "raped"on board ferry

CEBU, Philippines -  An officer and three crew members of a ship are now detained in Waterfront Police Station detention cell for allegedly raping a 23-year-old female passenger last Thursday evening.

The suspects were identified as Second Mate Timoteo Sampayan, 32, of Northern Samar and apprentices Aldren Albarando, 22, of Argao, Cebu; Layman Regañon, 24, of Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte; and Alvin Nalda, 27, of San Miguel, Leyte. 

All serve aboard the M/V Calbayog owned by Palacio Shipping Lines.

A report over TV Patrol Central Visayas said that the victim was dancing in the ship’s disco when the suspects came.

The victim alleged that the suspects approached her and held her arms then pulled her outside and started groping her.

The suspects then reportedly brought the victim to one of the cabins and raped her. They allegedly threatened her before they left.

PO2 Jessie Carel of the Maritime Police Office said the incident happened before the vessel docked in Pier 2 in Cebu early morning Friday.

Carel said the victim went to their office to report the incident about 10:45 a.m. that same day.

Albarando, Regañon and Nalda were immediately arrested by the Maritime policemen in Pier 2 during a hot pursuit operation while Sampayan was able to escape.

He was later arrested about 8:25 p.m. the same day along Colon St., Cebu City.

The lawyer of the suspects who went to the police station to see his clients refused to give any statement.

The suspects also declined to give statements when sought for reactions.

Charges are set to be filed on Monday against the suspects before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office.

Meanwhile, the Maritime Industry Authority-7 will issue on Monday a suspension order to the group accused following the alleged incident.

MARINA-7 Director Nanette Villamor-Dinopol said the captain of the M/V Calbayog must file a Marine Protest on Monday while MARINA will issue him a Show Cause Order since the incident happened after they left the port of Calbayog, Samar.

Police were not able to get the name of the captain since he was said to have hurriedly left the ship after it docked. A new captain has reportedly been assigned to the M/V Calbayog.

Palacio Shipping Lines owner Florentino Palacio told The FREEMAN that the said crew members are under suspension and will be terminated if proven guilty of the crime.

But he also appealed to the police is to conduct a thorough investigation on the matter to uncover what really happened.

He said he is not trying to defend his employees but he learned that the complainant was able to avail of a cabin even if her ticket is only for the economy deck.

Palacio said aside from the investigation being conducted by the police his company is also doing its own investigation.

He said if they will find out that the crew members were under the influence of alcohol at the time, it will suffice as a ground for termination. Crew members are prohibited from drinking alcohol onboard.

Palacio Shipping assured that personnel will undergo due process. The company also assured that it will not tolerate immoral and careless acts by their personnel. — /BRP (FREEMAN)