Three men nabbed for rape, harassment

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office has charged a 20-year-old man before the court for allegedly raping his ex-girlfriend.

“...being sweethearts does not negate the commission of rape because such fact does not give license to have sexual intercourse against her will, and will not exonerate him from the criminal charge of rape,” read the resolution.

The FREEMAN is withholding the names of the parties due to the nature of the case.

Prosecutor III Mario Ley Gidayawan held accused, a resident of Sitio Tambis, Cebu City, of rape.

Being sweethearts does not prove consent to the sexual act, he ruled.

The 20-year-old victim said on August 4, 2017, her former boyfriend asked about her whereabouts.

While she was out from her work, the boy was waiting outside her workplace.

She said at that time they had a fight. Her belongings were taken by the accused.

Complainant said she went to the place of the accused to get her things.  However, when she arrived in her ex-boyfriend’s place, she instead sexually abused.

She claimed that she resisted because she wanted to end their relationship but the latter insisted “you are mine.”

Complainant said though they had sex before but it was against her will when the latter forced her to go with him in exchange for the return of her belongings.

She claimed she us upset for being treated “like a pig.”  She alleged that despite begging for mercy, the accused still sexually abused her.

The accused, fir his part, denied the allegations filed against him.

He claimed that they had a relationship. In fact, they usually spent intimate moments in his room.

With the foregoing, Gidayawan found sufficient evidence to hold accused for trial.

The accused had filed a motion for reconsideration, but was denied.

No bail was recommended against the accused.

Meanwhile, a 36-year-old man was arrested for allegedly raping a minor.

The suspect is reportedly the victim’s distant relative, according to the girl’s parents.

The incident took place 7:30 p.m. in Barangay Cancao-an, Naga.

The parents told the authorities that their daughter was waiting for her mother to arrive from Carbon market.

“Ang claim aning ginikanan kay ang bata kay nag-atang sa iyang mama kay gikan Carbon unya nahibong nalang siya na alas siyete sa gabii wa na siya kita sa iyang anak. Nilakaw siya padung sa ilaha ug nakit-an niya ang iyang anak na kuyog ang suspect nigawas gikan sa balay sa suspect. Mao to gipangutana niya ang bata kun ngano gikan siya sa balay sa suspect,” said PO1 Carline Cabizares of the Women and Children Protection Desk of City of the Naga Police Station.

The rape allegedly took place in the suspect’s house.

In his defense, the suspect argued that the child is the one who approached him to go to his house.

In another rape incident, a 19-year-old man was arrested for allegedly sexually harassing the daughter of his boss.

The incident allegedly happened in Barangay Bagalnga, Compostela at around 10:30 pm last Friday.  The suspect was reportedly drinking with his co-workers.

The sibling of the victim reported the incident to a barangay councilor, who, along with the barangay tanods, helped in the arrest of the suspect.

A case will be filed today against the suspect. —Hanna Tejada/GAN (FREEMAN)