Arrest lawyer, ‘rape’ victim’s parents ask

CEBU, Philippines — Eight months after the court issued a warrant of arrest against him, lawyer-broadcaster Juril Patiño remains free.

Yesterday, the parents of the 13-year-old girl Patiño allegedly raped in July 2017 asked the help of Councilor David Tumulak for Patiño’s arrest.

The girl’s father said they decided to approach Tumulak because it has been eight months since the warrant was issued on July 23, 2018.

The parents were able to secure a copy of the warrant from the court only on February 14 this year.

“YOU ARE HEREBY COMMANDED TO ARREST JURIL N. PATIÑO who is said to be found at Block 6 Lot 6, Miramondte Subd. Pit-os Talamban, Cebu CITY and who has been charged before me with the offense of Rape under Art. 266-A Par 1 and deliver them to the nearest station or jail,” reads the warrant of arrest signed by Judge Marlon Jay Moneva.

The alleged rape happened inside Patiño’s car on Zamora Street in Barangay Parian, Cebu City.

The girl and her family are under the custody of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Tumulak, meanwhile, urged Patiño to surrender.

“Atong gihangyo ang tanang unit sa police sa pagtabang sa pamilya nga mahatag gyud ang hustisya. Mao na nga gihangyo nato si Patiño nga mo-surrender nalang siya kay ang pamilya, ang biktima, gusto nga mahatagan og katin-awan kalabot sa nahitabo sa ilahang anak (We call on all police units to help the family get justice. We also ask Patiño to surrender so that he can shed light on the allegations),” the councilor said.

The girl’s father said their daughter remains in trauma.

“Ang akong hangyo sa kapolisan nga hinaot og nakit-an man ni nilang tawhana, hinaot ko nga iturn-over unta. Ilaha ba rong kuhaon or dakpon kay naa man ta’y warrant of arrest. Naa naman ta’y kopya, aron lang sad malugwayan ang pagpuyo ba. Ang akong bata, makaginhawa sad sa gibuhat niya (We ask the authorities to arrest Patiño because a warrant has already been issued, and so my daughter can live peacefully),” the father said.

He said he is not willing to forgive Patiño and that the latter, if found guilty, should face the punishment prescribed by law.

“Amo man ning gisugdan, amo gyud ning tiwason. Lisod man sad kaayo nga mohangyo siya, akong anak nausab naman ang kinabuhi. Ang pagpasaylo sayon ra…Og wala gyud siya’y sala, atubangon gyud niya (We started this, we will finish this. He cannot just ask for forgiveness after what happened. It’s easy to forgive… if he is really innocent, he will come out and face the case),” the father said. (FREEMAN)