2 computer teachers accused of raping girl

Two instructors of the AMA Computer College are now facing criminal charges for allegedly raping a student.

Two counts of rape have been brought against Computer Science instructors Mark Jude Depalobos and Rusty Magcalas before the sala of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Judge Ma. Theresa Torres-Yadao.

The complainant accused the two of taking turns in sexually abusing her on Aug. 12, 2000 after a small party she gave on the occasion of her having passed her thesis defense.

The offense is punishable by reclusion perpetua, or a jail term of between 20 and 40 years.

The complainant said the instructors urged her to go with them to Depalobos’ boarding house in Quezon City after they had a party at a local bar and after her thesis partner had left for home.

She said Magcalas suggested that they drink in a room upstairs so that they would not disturb their neighbors. Trusting them because they were her instructors, the complainant said she agreed.

The complainant said she felt dizzy after drinking half a glass of beer. Then the abuse started, she said.

During trial, the defendants denied the charges.

Magcalas said the complainant was his girlfriend and they had been sexually intimate for some time.

Depalobos corroborated his claim, arguing that the medico-legal report which showed that the victim was no longer a virgin and that there was no application of physical harm done to her.

Quezon City Assistant Prosecutor Ma. Teresa de Guzman, who conducted the preliminary investigation in the case, however, said the complainant’s account of the alleged rape was more credible because if it did not at all happen, she would not have gone public and reveal the gory details of her ordeal. – Romel Bagares