Rape charges filed against PWD

CEBU, Philippines - The trisikad driver who allegedly raped a 28-year-old girl in Barangay Cambuhawi, Balamban last Friday is now facing rape charges which have been filed yesterday before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.

In the inquest proceedings conducted by Prosecutor Marlon Atillo, the victim confirmed she was filing a rape complaint against 47-year-old Teofisto Algabre who denied the charges and is set to file his counter-affidavit.The suspect, a person with physical disabilities, claimed to have a relationship with the victim.

“Wala nako siya nakuha ako ra siya gihikap-hikap unya usa sab, uyab mi,” Algabre said.

The respondent said he had an agreement with the victim before doing such act, not to say anything, but it was the victim who broke their agreement when the latter confessed to her mother.

He added it was the first time that he caressed the body of the victim because they only kiss.

Algabre’s statement was denied by the victim who insisted that they have no relationship and that she doesn’t like him.

“Ingon siya ganahan siya nako, pero ako di gyud ko ganahan niya,” the victim said.

The victim said she was alone in their house when the incident happened on September 2, 2011 at around 1:30 p.m. because her mother left for work.

“I was left alone inside our house and was still eating lunch when Teofisto Algabre, who happens to be our neighbor, and a trisikad driver and owner suddenly entered our house and locked the door,” affidavit of the victim reads.

The victim said Algabre kissed her on cheek, held her hands and dragged her to the bedroom. She resisted, but the respondent was too strong.

She said she was pushed by the respondent and because she fell off balance, she ended up in the bedroom.

Algabre allegedly held her hands, undressed her and succeeded in raping her.

The victim said after she was raped, the respondent told her to get up and not to say anything to her mother but because of the blood stain on her shorts, neighbors asked her what happened. This led the victim to confide the incident.

Arresting officers PO1 Alfredo de Gracia and PO2 Derwin Suico said they were able to arrest the respondent inside the Balamban Public Market when the victim and her mother went to their station and reported the incident. (FREEMAN)