Priest in rape try faces more raps

MANILA, Philippines — The priest arrested by police last July after an alleged attempt to sexually abuse a 13-year-old girl in Marikina City was charged before the Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday.

Assisted by Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Rueda-Acosta, the girl’s parents sought the indictment of Monsignor Arnel Lagarejos for two counts of qualified trafficking under Section 6 of Republic Act 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003).

Also named respondents in the charge sheet were four other persons who allegedly acted as the girl’s pimps.

The new complaint covers previous incidents wherein Lagarejos “hired” the victim and is in addition to the similar charge filed against him before the Marikina City prosecutor’s office for the latest incident that led to his arrest.

In a press conference, Acosta said the new charges were filed based on the victim’s statements and an investigation conducted by her office.

“It was established that there are two other incidents involving the priest and the victim,” she explained.

 For his part, DOJ Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said the family of the girl is seeking to be placed under the Witness Protection Program (WPP) due to previous threats to their lives.

Aguirre said the DOJ has committed to provide them provisional coverage pending processes for their application.

“They will be likely be placed under the WPP,” the DOJ chief assured.