Suspect in teen’s gang rape falls

MANILA, Philippines - A man charged in the gang rape of a 14-year-old girl five years ago was arrested in Sta. Cruz, Manila on Nov. 16, an official said yesterday.

City Hall Action and Police Assistance (CHAPA) head Chief Inspector Rolando Lorenzo Jr. said tricycle driver Christian Cardenas, 23, is one of six males who allegedly raped the girl after they put a sleeping pill in her drink when she attended a birthday party.

Cardenas, who faces three counts of rape, is the fifth suspect to be arrested. The only one still at large is Jeffrey Maguirre.

Prior to the arrest, the victim, now 19, went to Lorenzo’s office to seek police assistance after seeing Cardenas loitering in Sta. Cruz, where she also resides. Lorenzo said the suspect was playing chess along the sidewalk of P. Guevarra street when he was arrested.– Sandy Araneta, Rey Galupo