Man arrested for “raping” niece

CEBU, Philippines - For allegedly raping his 14-year-old niece twice in sitio Plaza, Barangay Apas, Cebu City, a 25-year-old bystander was arrested by elements of Laguna police the other day.

Leon (real name withheld to protect the identity of the victim), a native of Barangay Tabunoc, Isabela, Leyte, is now detained at the Calamba City police detention cell under the Laguna provincial police office after Calamba police arrested him by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by RTC Judge Manuel Patalinghug for two counts of rape.

Leon was sighted in barangay Makiling, Calamba, Laguna, by his brother who is the victim’s father.

“Lipay kaayo ko nga nadakpan pero ang problem kay wa koy budget pagpadala sa suspect dinhi sa Cebu. Kay sulti sa Calamba police kami daw mogasto sa pagpadala sa suspect wa diay budget ang gobyerno ani? (I am very happy that he was arrested but my problem now is I don’t have funds to transport the suspect to Cebu. Calamba police said we have to take care of the expenses to transport the suspect here. Doesn’t the government have the budget for this?),” the rape victim’s father said.

Calamba police chief Ceasar Tannagan already sent a communication to the Mabolo police to pick up Leon from their police station and present him to Judge Patalinghug.

However, Cebu City police director Melvin Buenafe clarified that they don’t have the budget for the transportation of any suspect arrested outside their jurisdiction. Buenafe added that the victim should shoulder transportation expenses.

Judge Patalinghug issued the warrant of arrest last October 15.

The rape victim is now on her 7th month pregnancy. Leon used to stay at his brother’s house in barangay Apas this year. The alleged rape incident happened last May.

Relatives of the rape victim said they will be asking Judge Patalinghug to intervene in their problem for the immediate transfer of the suspect.— MIT (FREEMAN)