European arrested for “rape”

CEBU, Philippines - A 29-year-old foreign national was arrested after he allegedly raped an 18-year-old girl in a beach resort in Barangay Pooc, Sta. Fe, Cebu Wednesday dawn.

The suspect was identified as Xander Tann, 29, a native of Estonia, while the victim is from Maguikay, Cebu and is currently on vacation at her aunt’s residence in Barangay Malbago, Madridejos, Cebu.

Senior Police Officer 2 Sheila Illustrisimo, who is investigating the case, said that, according to the victim, the suspect arrived at her aunt’s house late Tuesday evening.

Both the suspect and the victim knew each other through a dating site on the internet.

The victim said Tann was allegedly drunk when he arrived, but still kept on drinking while in her aunt’s house.

“Naabtan nalang og alas dos, wala pa daw gihapon nilakaw ni ang suspek maong ang mga kauban sa biktima, nangatulog na pati iyang auntie,” Illustrisimo said.

At around 3 a.m., the suspect reportedly invited the victim to come with him to buy additional drinks in the town.

The stores in Madridejos were all closed, so the suspect decided to proceed to Bantayan town.

The victim said that she told the suspect that she would go home but the suspect reportedly did not listen.

“Gihadlok pa gani daw ni sa biktima ang suspek nga mulayat siya sa sakyanan kung dili siya ihatod og uli, pero wa gyod naminaw. Tungod sa kadako na sa oras nakatulog nalang ang biktima, pagmata niya nabantayan nalang niya nga padung na sila sa Sta. Fe,” said Illustrisimo.

The police officer also said that while traversing the Bantayan highway, the suspect nearly hit a policeman, who reported and alerted his station to trace the suspect’s vehicle.

Right after arriving at a beach resort, the suspect forcibly checked-in in one of the rooms with the victim and raped her two times.

“Abi gyod namo kausa ra, pero during sa interview, kaduha gyod diay siya na-rape. Pagpanuktok sa mga police kay dali nga nakadagan ang babaye,” Illustrisimo said.

The suspect, however, defended that he did not force himself on the victim and that they have already a mutual understanding. —/GAN (FREEMAN)