Tanod faces plaint for acts of lasciviousness

CEBU, Philippines - A barangay tanod in Cebu City is now facing a criminal case before the trial court for alleged lascivious actions against a 15-year-old minor with epilepsy.

The Cebu City Prosecutor's Office filed violation of Section 5 (b) of Republic Act 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act) against Diomedes Bontilao, 36, of Barangay Ermita in Cebu City.

The law punishes any person who is guilty of committing "act of sexual intercourse of lascivious conduct with a child exploited in prostitution or subject to other sexual abuse" with an imprisonment of 12 to 20 years.

The prosecution found sufficient evidence to charge and hold Bontilao for trial for his lascivious acts by touching the arms, kissing the lips of the minor (name withheld pursuant to the confidentiality clause of the law) against her will, and gave her money.

The case stemmed from the complaint of the minor's family.

In his complaint affidavit, the minor's elder brother said he learned about the alleged abusive act of Bontilao last July 18. He said he was looking for his sister when his neighbor, a "trisikad" driver, informed him about the whereabouts of his sister, who was reportedly held by a certain man going to a lodge at Magallanes Street.

"That instinctively, I was thinking that my sister might be abused since she has epilepsy so I immediately went to the said lodge together with my uncle," he stated.

While talking with the attendant of the lodge, he and his uncle saw the minor together with Bontilao who just got outside a room.

When the brother asked his sister what Bontilao did to her, the minor confessed that the barangay tanod touched her arms then kissed her lips and gave her money.

"He (Bontilao) directly answered me that he did not do anything to my sister and that they just talked with my sister inside," he narrated.

Bontilao attempted to walk away, but was stopped by the victim's relatives. The incident led to the arrest of Bontilao.

The prosecution recommended P200, 000 bail for Bontilao's temporary liberty. (FREEMAN)