Man accused of raping godson’s daughter

CEBU, Philippines - A 50-year-old man was arrested after he was caught allegedly raping the two-year-old daughter of his godson Tuesday night in Barangay Tayud, Consolacion town.

Senior Police Officer 1 Marjorie Paller of the Women’s and Children’s Protection Desk of Consolacion Police Station said suspect James (not his real name) was caught by the victim’s parents zipping up his pants in front of Rose (not her real name).

Paller said a confrontation happened between Rose’s parents and James, which eventually led to his arrest.

The FREEMAN is withholding the names of the parties to protect the welfare of the victim and her family.

James was living together with the victim’s parents since he is the godfather of Rose’s father.

Past 8 p.m. on Monday, with the house having run out of water, Rose’s father decided to buy gallons of mineral water at a nearby store.

Rose’s mother decided to be left in the house to look after the child, but the suspect allegedly insisted for her to go.  Out of their trust to their godfather, they left the child under the care of the latter. But when they got back, they allegedly saw the suspect in the act of zipping up his pants.

This prompted them to confront him, asking if he did something to their child.

The suspect fled after denying the parents’ accusations, but he was intercepted by the barangay tanods and was turned over to the police.

When Paller interviewed the child, Rose told her that her private part was hurt so she was brought to the Pink Room of Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center’s for medical examination.

Paller said the hospital has issued a provisional result stating that the child had indeed been raped.

Police used the provisional result to file yesterday a rape case in relation to child abuse against the suspect. — (FREEMAN)