No bail for man who ‘raped’ friend

CEBU, Philippines — The Office of the Cebu City Prosecutor has recommended no bail against a 22-year-old man for allegedly raping his friend, 19-year-old girl.

Prosecutor II Jill Ann Paculba-Gealon held accused, a resident of Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City, for trial after finding probable cause for violation of Article 266-A of the Revised Penal Code as amended by Republic Act 8353 or Anti-Rape Law.

"...accused, with deliberate intent, by means of force, threat, and intimidation upon (the teenager), by numbing her body with party drug, did then and there willfully, unlawfully and feloniously had carnal knowledge...without her consent," read the ruling.

The FREEMAN is withholding the name of the parties involved due to the sensitive nature of the case.

In her sworn-statement, the 19-year old girl, a resident of Barangay Abucayan, Balamban, Cebu alleged that while inside a club in Cebu City, the suspect, an ex-boyfriend of her friend, approached her around 10 p.m. on December 8, 2018.

The suspect reportedly invited the girl to his friend’s birthday party in Barangay Talamban, Cebu City. The victim accepted the invitation because she “knew him.”

They arrived at around 1 a.m. in the house of the friend of the accused.

The girl saw a certain "bong smoke pipe" which was being prepared. Then, she was given a small paper and was told to place it inside her mouth until melted.

The suspect’s friend also offered a “vitamin” tablet to the unsuspecting victim which the latter took.

After which, the accused brought the girl to his home in Barangay Guadalupe.

Because she was not feeling good, the victim said she rested a bit, but the accused took advantage of her and allegedly raped her. She reported the incident to the police, resulting in the arrest of the accused. — KBQ (FREEMAN)