For alleged sexual harassment: Probes on versus Dumanjug priest

CEBU, Philippines — Separate investigations are being undertaken into allegations that a priest in Dumanjug, Cebu sexually harassed a 17-year-old girl.

The police, for one, will investigate the complaint together with the National Bureau of Investigation.

Yesterday, Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said the Provincial Women’s Commission, which she chairs, will also open its own probe.

Assisted by her mother, the girl has sued the priest for acts of lasciviousness.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said the priest has been replaced.

He said the church has already reached out to the girl’s family through a special committee composed of two canon lawyers and two psychologists.

“We reached out to the family,” Palma told reporters last weekend.

Senior Insp. Clemente Ceralde, Jr. told reporters that the complainant specifically asked for the NBI’s help.

“We will be coordinating with the other intelligence units and give them what they need. Naka-blotter sa atoa but the victims went to the NBI-7. We will help them investigate the allegations,” Ceralde said.

The Freeman is withholding the name of the girl and the priest owing to the sensitive nature of the case. Ceralde said the alleged incident took place around midday on March 3 after the victim served at the church as an altar girl.

The priest allegedly invited the girl to his room where he reportedly gave her food to eat. While the girl was eating, the priest allegedly kissed her and hugged her. The girl reportedly fell asleep and when she woke up, she found herself already on top of the priest. She then got off and ran home.

“Nagtatrabaho po yung bata sa simbahan ng Dumanjug. Pinapasok doon sa loob ng kwarto ng nireklamo at pinameryenda at allegedly na hi-nug at ki-nissan at mi-nassage. Nakatulog siya at nagulat siya… paggising niya, nasa ibabaw siya ng nirereklamo (The girl worked at the church in Dumanjug. She was made to enter the priest’s room and she was given snacks, and the priest allegedly hugged, kissed, and massaged. She fell asleep and was surprised when she woke up that she was already on top of the priest),” Ceralde said.

The girl decided to report the matter to authorities only on March 8 after telling her mother about it.

At the Capitol, Magpale said it’s important to look into the complaint properly and carefully.

There were reportedly cases in the past when complaints did not hold water because supposed victims made accusations after they were scolded or fired from their jobs.

“We have to be very, very careful. We are very careful in giving legal assistance to complainants,” Magpale said.

As of yesterday, the family has not sought the help of the PWC.

Rape

Meanwhile, a 26-year old suspected drug user was arrested dawn yesterday for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City yesterday morning.

The suspect is a construction worker and was identified positively by the victim.

Senior Insp. Dino Alaras said the suspect arrived just as the girl was cleaning the store yesterday morning.

The suspect reportedly pretended to buy something but eventually told the girl that he would rob the store. Because he allegedly threatened to hit the girl, the girl got scared and heeded the suspect’s demand.

But the suspect did not stop there. He allegedly took a rock and hit the girl’s head with it. He then dragged the girl to the back of the store and raped her there.

After the incident, the girl went to the Mabolo Police Station to report what happened.

“Nagpa-blotter siya diri. Naa samad iya ulo; gi-rape kuno siya. Gibundakan siya og bato… wala nakuyapan pero nagluya siya dihang gibira siya sa luyo (She had the incident blottered. She arrived with a wound on her head. She said she was raped and her head was hit by a rock. She did not pass out but was too weak to do anything when the suspect dragged her to the back of the store),” Alaras told The Freeman.

Medico legal examination confirmed there was force entry on the victim.

The operatives from Mabolo Police Station and the Cebu City Police headquarters traced the suspect through closed-circuit television cameras and arrested him in Tabogon town.

The suspect’s neighbors in Barangay Busay reportedly said the suspect is a drug user.

American arrested

Also in Cebu City, an American national was arrested last evening on Saturday for allegedly raping a minor.

Chief Insp. Eduard Sanchez of the Cebu City Police said the alleged rape, which allegedly twice, was committed at the room of a hotel in Barangay Capitol Site where the 56-year-old American was staying temporarily.

It was the hotel’s staff that reported the matter to the police when the girl reportedly asked for their help.

The 16-year-old girl is from Ormoc City, Leyte.

As of yesterday, the Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) of Police Station 2, together with the victim, filed a complaint against the American for violating Republic Act 8353 or the Anti-Rape Law and Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act. — With Christele Isabela B. Basco , Hannah Joy I. Yana (FREEMAN)