Cagayan priest arrested for rape

SAN FERNANDO, La Union, Philippines — A priest was arrested by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday for allegedly raping a 16-year-old volunteer of a youth ministry in Solana, Cagayan.

Karole Reward Israel, assistant parish priest at the St. Vincent church, was apprehended after the girl was rescued by NBI agents, according to a radio report.

It was learned that the suspect first molested the victim in his car on Feb. 8 when the priest invited her to Aparri. He also allegedly raped the girl in a hotel room on Feb. 22.

The victim said the priest raped her several times, but she did not report the incidents because the suspect threatened to spread her nude photos and videos.

She told her ordeal to her teacher, who talked to her parents and sought assistance from the NBI.

The suspect faces charges for violation of the Anti-Sexual Harrasment Act, Violence Against Women and Children Act, Anti Photo and Video Voyeurism Act and Child Abuse.