Resort waiter accused of raping Norwegian girl

MANILA, Philippines - Police said yesterday they would file charges against a 22-year-old waiter accused of raping a 15-year-old Norwegian tourist at the beach resort he works at in Currimao, Ilocos Norte.

The suspect struck up a conversation with the girl late last Friday while she was alone by a pool at the resort, said Senior Inspector Ryan Reototar, Currimao police chief.

Reototar said 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.

Reototar said 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, Reototar said.

He said 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 on June 29 and had planned to stay there until July 17.

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

The local tourism office has expressed alarm over the negative effect the reported rape incident could bring.

“This (incident) is giving us grave concern, especially that an employee of the resort is the suspect,” a tourism official, who asked not to be identified, told reporters yesterday. – AP, Teddy Molina