Man charged for sexually abusing his stepdaughter

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Prosecutor's Office has indicted a 24-year old man for allegedly committing sexual abuse on his 13-year-old stepdaughter.

The accused, a resident of Barangay T Padilla in Cebu City, was held liable for child abuse by Prosecutor II Fatima Asjali-Maadil.

In her sworn-statement, a 13-year-old girl alleged that on May 24 at about 3 p.m. while she was watching television, the accused told her to take a bath.

While she was taking a bath, the accused suddenly came near her and allegedly touched her breast.

The minor alleged that because she was afraid of her stepfather, she tried to evade him.  The following day, she confided to her grandmother what her stepfather did to her.

The incident was reported to the police, leading to the arrest of the stepfather.

"...said accused, acted by lewd design, did then and there willfully, unlawfully and feloniously by means of force and intimidation commit acts of lasciviousness on the person of a 13-year old minor subjected to other sexual abuse, by touching her breast, against her will, to her damage and prejudice," the charge sheet reads.

Maadil recommended P100,000 bail for the temporary liberty of the accused.

The FREEMAN withholds the names of the parties involved due to the nature of the case. (FREEMAN)