"Drug addict" nabbed for molesting minor in Bantayan

CEBU, Philippines - A 46-year-old man, who is said to be a known drug addict in their town, was arrested after he allegedly sexually abused a 12-year-old girl in Barangay Luyong Baybay, Bantayan Island Thursday midnight.

Bernard Batarilan was trying to flee the area when police arrested him in a manhunt operation last Friday.

Police Officer Lia Balog of the Women and Children Protection Desk of the Bantayan Police Station said the victim, a Grade six student, was sitting outside a disco area in Barangay Doong to watch a benefit dance being held in their barangay in celebration of their annual fiesta.

The suspect, single and jobless, went near her and covered her mouth with a cloth.

The suspect then carried her to a secluded area in the nearby Barangay Luyong Baybay.

There, the suspect repeatedly inserted his finger into the girl’s genitals, Balog said.

The girl resisted until she broke free from the suspect, Balog further narrated.

The girl ran and shouted to seek help but to no avail as the area was very quiet until she reached Barangay Doong again.

Her mother, who sells pork barbeque near the disco area, who was looking for her, found her and learned about the victim’s ordeal.

The parents, Balog said, hired a pump boat and went to the mainland of Bantayan to report the incident to the police.

Police conducted a manhunt operation and arrested the suspect last Friday noon in Barangay Surangan.

Balog said they took the girl to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City to have her checked.

Police will file charges for violation of Republic Act 7610 or Anti-Child Abuse against the suspect tomorrow. The suspect is now detained. –/MIT (FREEMAN)