City street cleaner detained for ‘rape’

CEBU, Philippines – A 48-year-old street cleaner working for Lapu-Lapu City Hall was arrested after he allegedly raped the daughters of his live-in partner in their house in Sitio Kamanggahan, Barangay Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City last Saturday night.

The mother and the two girls, ages 6 and 8, reported to the police last Sunday morning and accused Alejandro (not his real name) of inserting his finger into the children's private parts.

The children, prior to the report, reportedly told their mother that their privates were "aching."

Police Officer 2 Sheryl Espejon of the Women’s and Children's Protection Desk of Gun-ob Police Station said Alejandro threatened the children before sexually abusing them.

The abuse allegedly happened around 10 p.m. when the girls' mother was not home.

Espejon added that Alejandro grabbed the girls towards his room, locked the door and then abused them.

After, Espejon said, the alleged suspect told them to get dressed and go back to their room.

Alejandro was arrested and detained in Gun-ob Police Station holding cell and will face child abuse charges under Republic Act 7610.