Brgy dad sued for bringing minors to motel

CEBU, Philippines - A barangay councilor is facing a child molestation complaint for allegedly kissing a 15-year-old high school student and forcing her and her companions to drink inside a motel in Mandaue City Tuesday night.

A criminal complaint for violating Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act of 1992, was filed against him yesterday.

In a four-page joint affidavit, the five minors stated in detail how and where they were taken advantage at and exploited allegedly by Mandaue Barangay Cambaro Councilor Renato "Jay-R" Yosores and his male companion Gio Jay Branzuela.

One of the parents of the minors who refused to reveal his name said the decision to file a criminal complaint against Yosores lies solely in the minors' decision.

"Desisyon ra sa mga bata nga (It was their own decision to) mo-file og complaint", said one of the parents.

He said he cannot forget what his daughter said as to how the incident happened. He was alarmed because he called his daughter 23 times and sent several text messages but was not answered.

"Sige ko'g tawag sa akong bata mga kadaghan nya wa gyo'y motubag; nya mao to nga ang taga -hotel na ang nakatubag nga naa akong bata ipakuha (I kept on calling her but she did not respond; then on my last call a hotel staff answered, telling me to pick her up) ," he said.

Without having second thoughts, he decided to go to the Mandaue City Police Station Command Center to ask for assistance in rescuing his daughter.

When he arrived with four policemen, he saw the children crying on a bed inside the hotel room where Yosores allegedly brought them.

His daughter, who was drunk that time, told him what really happened.

He said Yosores first invited one of his daughter's groupmates to meet the councilor in a mall in Mandaue City to supposedly discuss and give his sponsorship for a school activity.

The boy, who was invited by Councilor Yosores, told his daughter about the invitation. His daughter and three other girls accompanied the boy in meeting the councilor in a mall.

But instead of discussing with them and giving his sponsorship, the councilor bought liquor and allegedly brought the minors in a motel near the mall in Mandaue City.

According to the man's daughter, the minors were forced to drink.  After several drinks, Yosores allegedly kissed one of the girls on the cheek and then tried to persuade her to allow him to kiss her on the lips.

At this moment, realizing they were in danger, the girls hid and locked themselves inside the room's comfort room and shouted for help, leaving their boy classmate behind.

Yosores allegedly tried to force open the door. Failing, he then inserted a P1,000 bill under the door, which the minor believed was payment  for the room, and left.

Help came two hours later after a room boy heard them and had them sit on the bed.

Immediately after the incident, the police went looking for Yosores in his house, but Yosores' pregnant wife and his sibling told them he was not around.

As of the filing of the complaint, Yosores was nowhere to be found. (FREEMAN)