CEBU, Philippines - A couple was indicted for allegedly conniving to sexually abuse a 12-year-old girl in Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City.
Assistant city prosecutor Mary Ann Castro found probable cause to charge the couple with rape and child abuse before the court. The Freeman is withholding the names of the accused to protect the identity of the victim because one of the accused is her cousin.
Castro recommended no bail for rape while P40,000 each for child abuse.
The victim was left under the care of her aunt in Kalunasan after her mother died because her father has a new family in Bukidnon.
According to the victim, on November 24, 2013 her cousin’s live-in partner raped her. The incident was repeated four times allegedly with the consent of her cousin.
The victim said she did not immediately report what had happened for fear. The accused were summoned and directed to answer the complaint but did not submit their counter-affidavit prompting Castro to resolve the case in favor of the complainant. —FPL (FREEMAN)