Filipino waiter suspected of raping Norwegian girl

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine police said Tuesday they will file charges against a 22-year-old waiter accused of raping a 15-year-old Norwegian tourist at the beach resort he works at.

The suspect struck up a conversation with the girl late last Friday while she was alone by a pool at the resort in northern Ilocos Norte province, said Senior Inspector Ryan Retutar, police chief of Currimao township.

Retutar said that the waiter started groping the girl and took her to the cafeteria and raped her.

The girl reported the assault to her parents. They contacted police Saturday along with the resort staff who surrendered the waiter.

Retutar said that the suspect, who was detained, claimed that the victim was his girlfriend. The girl denied this, saying they knew each other only for two days, Retutar said.

He said that the girl broke down while relating the assault through an interpreter.

The rape and child abuse charges will be reviewed by state prosecutors who will determine if there is enough evidence to file the case in court. If convicted, the waiter could face up to 40 years in prison.

The family arrived at the resort, about 380 kilometers (238 miles) north of Manila, on June 29 and had planned to stay there until July 17.

Retutar said he was unaware if they planned to stay longer to see the case through.