Japanese tourist allegedly raped in Bantayan Island

CEBU, Philippines - A 27-year-old Japanese tourist was allegedly raped by a Criminology student at the seashore in Barangay Ocoy, Sta. Fe Wednesday afternoon.

The victim, temporarily staying in Barangay Talisay, Sta. Fe, reported to the police station right after the incident which resulted in the arrest of the suspect, Loreto Aljon Espinosa, 21, in a hot pursuit operation.

Espinosa did not resist arrest when accosted by the police an hour later.

SPO1 Shiela Illustrisimo, Women’s and Children’s Protection Desk officer, said that prior to the incident, the victim was looking for a nature park in Bantayan town.

The victim was reportedly visiting the country alone and spent her Holy Week in Bantayan Island.

Illustrisimo claimed that victim met Espinosa while she walking along the road and asked the suspect for directions since she was not familiar with the place.

“Naa pa siya sa Sta. Fe unya ang iyang gipangita kay naa man sa Bantayan layo-layo pa gyud,” Illustrisimo said in a phone interview.

Espinosa then allegedly invited the victim to an unfinished beach resort just nearby.

Espinosa reportedly offered to escort the victim which the latter refused.  The suspect allegedly got mad and threatened to kill the victim if she would not agree to have sex with him.

Victim shouted for help but no one heard her and the suspect was able to rape her.

Espinosa left the victim in the place right after what happened and she immediately went to the police station.

The police accompanied the victim to the Sta. Fe District Hospital for a medical examination.

A rape case is now being prepared against Espinosa who is detained at the police stockade pending inquest proceedings today.

Meanwhile, the court found probable cause to indict a man for rape after he allegedly took advantage of his roommate inside their apartment in Sitio Banawa, Barangay Gudalupe, Cebu City.

In her two-page resolution, state prosecutor Aida Sanchez said she found evidence to hold accused Bebelo Jonas Ganda Madrona for trial.

“Based on the evidence on record, there is reasonable ground to believe that the crime charged had been committed and that the accused is probably guilty thereof,” she said.

Sanchez recommended no bail against accused for his temporary liberty.

The complaint was filed by the 24-year-old woman, a native of Leyte Province.

In her sworn statement, she alleged on February 24, 2013 at around 3:30 p.m., the requested a massage from her.

After she was done the suspect said it was his turn to massage her but she declined. 

After the suspected kept on insisting she gave in.  During the massage the suspect allegedly tried to strip her and she resisted.  He was eventually able to strip her and rape her despite her struggle.

After the incident, she said she left to meet a friend and report the incident to the police.

In his counter-affidavit, the accused denied the allegation that he raped the complainant. He said what happened between them was consensual.

However, prosecutor Sanchez said the defense of the accused was puerile.

“If the sexual intercourse had been consensual, then there would have been no cause to file the instant suit,” the resolution read.

Sanchez added since their office was only tasked to determine probable cause, the determination of the credibility of the witness falls under the trial court.

“As far as the instant case is concerned, the complainant had shown that she with the help of a friend had immediately complained to the proper authorities after the incident, and we find no motive on her part to concoct such a false charge,” the resolution further read.   (FREEMAN)