The suspect, Rolando Cruz, of 211 Panghulo Road, Barangay Panghulo, is now detained at the Malabon police station. Reports said the incident occurred on Nov. 8 at about 10 p.m. inside the suspect’s house. The victim was apparently sleeping inside her room when Cruz entered.
After allegedly raping the child, Cruz threatened her with death if she squealed to anyone about the incident. But the victim, an orphan, revealed the sexual attack to a friend, who helped her lodge a criminal complaint against Cruz.
Rape charges are now being readied against the suspect, who denied the accusation.
Meanwhile, a 27-year-old man in despair after his wife abandoned him, allegedly committed suicide in Parañaque City the other day.
PO3 Valerio Bueno, investigator-on-case, identified the alleged suicide victim as Joseph Hormigos of 1655 Bagong Ilog street, Baclaran, this city.
Investigation showed Hormigos’ lifeless body was found by his brother Joselito, dangling from a nylon cord tied to a beam in the ceiling of his room at around 5 p.m.
Joselito said his brother was despondent the last few days since his wife left after they quarreled last week. He said the couple had been quarreling over their financial straits, both being jobless with five children to feed. His wife and their children had gone to live in her family’s home in Malate, Manila. – Matthew Estabillo and Rainier Allan Ronda