Criminology student charged for sexual abuse

CEBU, Philippines - A criminology student in Cebu City is now facing criminal charges before the trial court for "sexually abusing" a 17-year-old girl in July last year.

The Cebu City Prosecutor's Office found sufficient grounds to charge the student (name withheld to protect the identity of the minor and pending his comment on the issue) for violation of Section 5 (b) of Republic Act 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act).

In the complaint-affidavit of the victim, she said the student, who was initially identified as her distant relative, asked favor if he could stay overnight in her rented room for convenience since he would be undergoing training early the next day and his residence in Bulacao is far away from his school.

She said she was asleep when she woke up with the student on top of her holding her trunk tightly. When she tried to pull him away, he forcibly pressd his elbow against her neck to prevent her from shouting.

The suspect then was able to execute his lewd and lascivious acts.

While the complaint is pending resolution, the minor eventually retracted her allegation against the student saying that what happened was only caused by a misunderstanding.

"I was not so sure of the happening of the events at that time," the minor stated in her affidavit of desistance.

She further claimed that she and the student are actually lovers and that they are now living together with consent of their families.

"I manifest my intention to ask for the dismissal of the complaint so that I can keep my previous good relation with the respondent (suspect) and his family who are my neighbors in Barangay Tungkay (Toledo City)," she added.

The prosecutor's office, however, did not consider the move of the victim.

It stated the fact that the parties involved are now living together cannot be a valid ground for the dismissal of the case.

"It should be mentioned that the crime has already been committed. Subsequent union of the parties therefore cannot erase the respondent's culpability," it added. — (FREEMAN)