Rape case filed vs. DOJ marshal

CEBU, Philippines - A criminal case was filed yesterday against the police marshal of the Witness Protection Security and Benefit Program of the Department of Justice (DOJ) accused of raping a 21-year-old gang rape victim who was placed under the program after receiving threats.

In her judicial-affidavit, the victim alleged that while inside the safe house, she was raped by Romelo Pabroa, earlier identified only with the code name Billy, 42, a resident of Carcar City.

The complainant said that she was placed under the witness protection program last December 6, 2012, after she was gang raped and received several threats. The case is still pending before the court in Lapu-Lapu City.

However, a month after staying at the safe house, she alleged that the respondent sexually abused her.

She narrated that the first incident happened in the sala on January 19, 2013 at 2:00 a.m. The complainant said she slept in the sala because of her sickness, a sudden occurrence of stiffness in her body.

At that time, the rape victim said she heard Pabroa watching lewd movies on his cell phone and said knew this because the volume was loud enough for her to hear.

At that time, she said she experienced sudden stiffness in her body right after respondent suddenly stood up.

“Gibati nako ug kahadlok nga nakadungog sa iya gitan-aw mam kay basin mo duol nako si Kuya Billy kay kalit man siya nibarog. Sa ako kahadlok gi atake ko sa ako nga sakit nga manggahi ako lawas mam, (I was scared because I heard what he was watching and I was afraid that he would approach me because he suddenly stood up. Because of my fear, I suddenly felt my body go stiff.)” the judicial affidavit read.

She said it was then that the respondent approached her then sexually abused her.

The complainant said she was not able to shout for help because she feared the respondent might do something towards her because he had a gun at his side. At that time, she said everyone was already asleep.

The said incident, according to the complainant was repeated many times.

She said she told her friend inside the safe house about what Pabroa did to her. Thereafter, they told other marshals of Pabroa’s actuations.

Right after the incident was revealed inside the safe house, the complainant said she was brought to a psychiatrist. “I was offended mam because they didn’t tell me that they will bring me there and they didn’t notify my mother and father,” the affidavit read.

On July 25, 2013, she said she left the program and reported the incident to the authorities.

In an interview with the complainant’s 76-year old father, he said he was happy over the development and hopes the truth will come out and justice will be served. He said he pities his daughter, who is their youngest.

“Naluoy ko niya, wala nakoy salig sa gobyerno, (I pity her. I do not trust the government anymore.)” he said.

Meanwhile, City Prosecutor Nicolas Sellon said he will look into the complaint first to decide what possible action will be taken considering that the respondent was part of the DOJ.

Earlier, assistant City prosecutor Llena Ipong-Avila, who heads the DOJ-WPP, said the complainant was brought to a psychiatric doctor to test if she can stand trial for the rape case she filed before the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor’s Office.

Ipong said that Pabroa was placed under suspension for three months.  (FREEMAN)