Man, 54, faces rape charges

CEBU, Philippines - Finding probable cause, the Office of the Cebu City Prosecutor has indicted a man for allegedly sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl.

Prosecutor I Fatima Asjali-Maadil held for trial a 54-year-old man, married, and a resident of Barangay Sin-sin, Cebu City for violation of Republic Act 8353, otherwise known as Anti-Rape Law.

“…that on the basis of the sworn statements and other evidence submitted before me, there is a reasonable ground to believe that the crime for a violation of RA 8353, has been committed and that the accused herein is probably guilty thereof. That the accused was given the opportunity to submit controverting evidence, but failed to do so,” Maadil stated.

Maadil recommended no bail for the accused for three counts of rape.

The FREEMAN is withholding the names of the parties due to the nature of the case.

The victim alleged the accused, who is her uncle, sexually abused her three times. First, it happened on August 23, 2013 at around 4 p.m.

She said while she was on her way home, accused blocked her way and pointed a knife and gun at her and brought her to grassland. Therein, she said accused choked her neck, undressed her and sexually abused her.

The minor said she did not ask for help or even shouted because of her fear that the accused might kill her family.

The said incident happened again on September 15, 2013 and May 17, 2014.

On May 17, the minor said, at around 4 p.m., accused was following her while she was fetching water. She said she was dragged to the shrubs by the accused and she was allegedly raped by him.

Maadil issued subpoena against the accused on June 30, 2014, directing him to submit his counter-affidavit and other controverting evidence to negate the allegations filed against him.

However, Maadil said accused failed to file the same. Thus, she resolved the complaint based on the evidence of the complainant.

“The uncontested evidence on record sufficiently established probable cause for the crimes as charged,” the resolution read.  (FREEMAN)