3 minors accuse man of verbal abuse

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Cebu City Prosecutor indicted a 60-year-old seaman for allegedly verbally maltreating his three minor children inside the school.

Prosecutor II Maria Theresa Calibugan-Casiño held the father for trial after finding probable cause for child abuse in relation to Republic Act 7610. The man is a resident of Barangay Talamban, Cebu City.

The FREEMAN is withholding the names of the parties to protect the identity of the minor victims.

According to the minors' affidavit, the accused allegedly spoke defamatory words to them in dialect in front of several people. The children are aged 12, 14 and 14.

Around 4:30 p.m. on October 3, 2014, the minors reportedly saw the accused sitting in the waiting area of their school. The accused reportedly called them out but the complainants declined since they were perspiring and wanted to go home to change.

The minors also said they did not want to stay with their father in his house.

The accused allegedly got angry and spoke defamatory words towards the minors in front of several people which reportedly caused them undue embarrassment especially to one of the children who is a student council vice president.

The accused failed to submit his counter-affidavit despite being summoned, prompting Casiño to resolve the case based on the allegation of the victim.

Later, the accused filed a motion for reconsideration on his indictment, saying he only knew of the case since he did not receive any notices or subpoena as he was onboard a shipping vessel.

In his counter-affidavit, he denied calling his children "fools" in the public, saying he loved them all and had longed to see them.

He said though that he reprimanded them for their arrogance and hostility when they met. He also said he could not have spoken such words to the minors and was merely frustrated.

However, Casiño denied the motion and affirmed her earlier resolution of indicting him, finding no reason to reverse the earlier decision.

Casiño gave weight to the psychologist's report which she said was sufficient in determining the existence of probable cause against the accused.

Casiño recommended P80,000 bail for the temporary liberty of the accused.  (FREEMAN)