Vendor faces child abuse raps for shouting at boy

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Cebu City Prosecutor has indicted a man before the court for allegedly abusing a 14-year-old boy by shouting and accusing him as a thief.

Associate Prosecution Attorney Jennifer Karen Alo-Leyson held Eladio Socatre for trial after finding probable cause for child abuse, a case filed by the boy’s mother.

On November 1 last year, the boy and his mother were tending their vegetable stall which was beside Socatre’s when the latter allegedly began throwing carrots and potatoes at them.

Socatre also reportedly shouted at the minor, accusing him as a thief, cursed him and threatened to throw at him more if he attempted to go out.

The suspect was quoted saying “Boang ka! Kawatan ka! Gawas unya diri kay batoon tika’g usab.”

The boy and his mother stayed at their stall the whole day out of fear.

In 2013, the boy’s mother had a misunderstanding with Socatre’s family who allegedly used to show hateful acts to them even to the minor.

After the incident, the boy was subjected to psychological evaluation, which showed that his feelings of fear, shame and anxiety stemmed from a mental distress.

“The evaluation report stated, among others, that abusers can take their revenge in the form of verbal assault,” the resolution read.

Leyson then resolved to elevate Socatre’s case to the court for trial.

She recommended P80,000 bail for the suspect’s temporary liberty.  (FREEMAN)