“Unsupportive” dad arrested

CEBU, Philippines - Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation-7 yesterday arrested a 42-year-old man inside his house in Doña Rosario Village, Barangay Basak, Mandaue City, for violation of Republic Act 9262, or the anti-violence against women and children act, for allegedly refusing to support his child.

Agents Renan Oliva and Rey Villordon were with the complainant when they served the warrant of arrest at around 1 p.m. after the complainant brought the arrest warrant to them.

“It was the complainant who brought the warrant of arrest before us. In effect, we served the warrant. There was no reported resistance in the part of the accused,” he said.

Last January 31 Judge Bienvenido Saniel of Regional Trial Court Branch 20 issued a warrant of arrest against the accused.  His bail was set at P12,000.

After his arrest the accused was brought before the RTC Branch 20 for the commitment order.

It was the former girlfriend of the accused who filed the complaint before the Prosecutor’s Office that was eventually elevated to court after the latter failed to negate the allegations filed against him.

“…With the uncontroverted evidence at hand the undersigned finds probable cause that respondent’s denial of financial support to his family is an act that caused mental or emotional anguish, public ridicule or humiliation to the woman or her child,” read the resolution penned by state prosecutor Maria Luisa Ong.

The complainant, a resident of Minglanilla town, said in June 2007 she met the accused at one of the universities in Cebu where he was studying.

She said on July 7, 2007, the accused became her boyfriend misrepresenting to her that he was single when in fact he was not.

“…if not for the misrepresentation, the complainant would not have consented to his persistent proposal,” the complaint read.

On Aug. 30, 2009, the complainant said she gave birth to their child.  They lived at her mother’s house in Minglanilla.  However, she said in January 2011 the accused stopped supporting their child.

The complainant said every time she demanded for support, the accused badmouthed her and hurt her in the presence of her relatives and friends.

He also allegedly threatened to kill her and her family if she will ask for help from the police.

The complainant asked the accused for P15,000 as monthly expenses of the child, broken down to P7,000 for food, medicines, vitamins; P5,000 for hospital expenses; and P3,000 for clothing and diapers.

Oliva said the accused plans to post bail for his temporary freedom.  –(FREEMAN)