5 gang rape suspects arrested in Guadalupe

Five males who are facing rape charges were arrested in barangay Guadalupe around 8 a.m. yesterday.  Four of those accused were minors.

The five boys, now aged 13 to 17, all residents of the said barangay, were picked by the Guadalupe Police by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Regional Trial Court-7 judge Rafael Yrastorza for the crime of rape in relation to Republic Act 7610 or the Child Protection Law.

It was learned that in 2006, a 12-year-old girl confided to her teacher that her 12-year-old boyfriend and his gang mates gang, aged 11, 12, 13, 15 and an adult, took turns in sexually molesting her.

She said it was Robert Balansa, 20, the leader of the gang, who led them.

Within that year, Balansa was arrested and a case was filed against him and the other group members.

According to the mother of one of the boys, the parents of the girl and the parents of the rest of the boys had already settled the case in the police station.  However, she revealed that there were no documents signed.

The boys’ mothers also told The FREEMAN that “no gang rape ever took place.” They alleged that the girl gave her consent that was why the act happened and that it was not done all at once.

“Dula-dula ra man gyod kuno to ila,” one of the mothers said.

Despite the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act which provides that no offenders below 15 years of age are to be held criminally liable, the mothers are still worried over their sons’ predicament.

“Unsaon na lang man tawn na…nag-eskwela pa man na sila ug dili man sad na sila pinasagdan,” another mother said.

At present, the victim resides with her parents while the five suspects will be presented in court tomorrow. — Trex Eden O. Ignacio, UP Intern/MEEV