Barker accused of raping mentally challenged woman

MANILA, Philippines - A jeepney barker was charged with raping a 37-year-old mentally challenged woman after the victim was found wandering in the vicinity of the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City yesterday afternoon.

The woman, who was found by a neighbor, was later accompanied by her aunt to the police station to report the abuse. The results of a medical examination indicate she had been raped.

Ferdinand Serrano, 47, was later arrested but denied the allegations. Police said he is allegedly a drug user.

Police said the victim was sitting in front of her aunt’s store and was watching the suspect and his friends play cara y cruz, a coin gambling game. Her relatives later noticed the victim and the suspect were missing, and they learned Serrano reportedly offered her P100 to accompany him to Monumento.

The suspect then allegedly brought her to a motel and raped her, then abandoned her in Monumento.

When the woman saw Serrano during a confrontation at the police station, the victim trembled in fear and started crying and shouting and identified him as her attacker.