Boy,16, “rapes” deaf-mute girl

CEBU, Philippines - A 16-year-old boy was taken by his own parents to the Guadalupe Barangay Hall after he allegedly raped a 13-year-old deaf-mute girl on Wednesday night.

The boy was later turned over to the Guadalupe Police Station for questioning. The police also invited the girl for her testimony.

Senior Inspector Allan Rosario, Guadalupe Police Station chief, said that they have not received any complaint about the incident but disclosed that a staff from the Guadalupe Gender and Development (GAD) turned over the minors to them.

He said that the mother of the boy was the one who sought the assistance of the barangay before they were brought to the police station.

Rosario said that they cannot disclose further information about the alleged rape since the minors were still being interviewed.

He added that they had to seek assistance from an interpreter to be able to properly communicate with the girl.

Guadalupe Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Person Rosalinda Ledama, however, said that the police were the ones who informed them about the incident.

She said that while they were on their way to the Cebu City Medical Center to seek for a medical certificate for two other minors who were also involved in a separate rape incident, the police called them to bring another pair of minors to the CCMC for medical examination.

 She said that when it comes to rape incidents, the police are the ones handling such matters.

Ledama said that rape cases involving minors are already alarming, believing that pornographic sites on the Internet help trigger these incidents.

She said that the barangay is conducting a Parent Effective Service Seminar to address the concern.

“Usa gyud na siya sa among panghingusgan about sa balaud sa Internet kay mao na’y nakaboang sa ato’ng mga batan-on karon. Mao na’ng maka-trigger sa mga batan-on karon nga magbuhat og dili maayo sa ilang isig ka tawo,” she added.  (FREEMAN)