Carpenter arrested for "attempted rape" of 10-year-old girl

CEBU, Philippines - Police arrested Monday morning a 35-year-old carpenter for the alleged attempted rape of a 10-year-old girl in Barangay South Poblacion, Naga City.

Jose Marie Parame is now detained at the Naga police stockade.

The girl was asleep at home when Parame entered and positioned himself on top of her.

Police Officer 2 Cristina Recaña, officer-in-charge of the Women's and Children's Protection Desk of the Naga Police Station, said the girl woke up and screamed when she saw Parame.

"Mao na la'y iyang nabantayan nga mura'g dunay nidat-ug niya," Recaña said.

Her uncle heard her screams and rushed to the house. He saw Parame jump out of a window and fled on foot.

Recaña said Parame allegedly had kept an eye on the girl's father and entered the house when the father left for work in Cebu City.

Her estranged mother is in Mindanao.

Parame denied he attempted to rape the girl.

However, police said Parame was positively identified by the girl and other witnesses.

She was taken to the Pink Room of the Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center to have a medical examination.

A case for attempted rape will be filed against Parame in the Naga City Prosecutor's Office as soon as the result of the medical examination is released. — THE FREEMAN