Taxi driver indicted for rape of Korean

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office has indicted before the court a taxi driver accused of raping a Korean national.

Prosecutor II Van Russel Inopiquez held Anicito Cañete, 25, a resident of Daanbantayan, Cebu, for trial after finding probable cause for the crime of rape.

“On the basis of the allegations and the pieces of evidence submitted by the complainant and the arresting officers, the undersigned finds reasonable ground to hold respondent for trial of the crime charged,” Inopiquez said.

Inopiquez recommended no bail for Cañete’s temporary liberty.

In an inquest proceeding, Cañete manifested to avail of a preliminary investigation to answer the allegations filed against him.

 However, he failed to file his counter-affidavit on or before January 4, prompting Inopiquez to file the case before the court.

In her affidavit, the 25-year-old woman alleged that she was in a bar at Mango Square together with her classmates on December 20, 2015.

 At around 3:30 a.m. she went home riding a taxi. When she arrived at her place, she said Cañete assisted her to her room because she was drunk.

“When we arrived at the lobby suspect assisted me to my room because I am drunk but I’m still fully conscious and knows who brought me to my room,” she stated.

She alleged that while inside the room, Cañete locked the door and raped her.

She said Cañete only stopped when her classmate arrived. Saying that she was raped, the complainant and her classmate went to Mabolo Police Station to report the incident.

PO3 Diosdado Parejas and three other police officers conducted a follow-up investigation, leading to the arrest of Cañete.  (FREEMAN)