Rape of minors incidents alarming – PWC
CEBU, Philippines - The spate of rape incidents, involving victims as young as four months old, in Cebu province has alarmed the Provincial Women’s Commission (PWC).
“This is already alarming and we must put a stop on this heinous crime,” PWC Gender and Development Officer Hedda Largo said.
The recent rape victims were 12 and 14 years old from Carcar City in southern Cebu and Carmen town in northern Cebu, respectively.
It was reported last month that a four-month-old baby was allegedly abducted and raped by Jonathan Marfe in Barangay Perrelos, Carcar City.
“We have to put an end to these vices. Ma-zero na unta ni kun di paubsan. Di sakto nga ang atong kabataan ilang pahimuslan tungod sa ilang pag-intra sa drogas,” Largo said.
Largo said the province has sent social workers to Carcar and Carmen to check the victims’ condition and to determine the intervention they will need.
She said the social workers will closely coordinate with the local government units, the local social welfare office, and the police to gather information about the victims.
She said the province may intervene in filing a case against the perpetrators and provide psychological assistance to the victims, among others.
Largo believed that the suspects were under the influence of illegal drugs when they committed the crime, saying “because no one in their right senses mohimo og sala sama niini.”
The authorities have already arrested Jonathan Requinto, 23, and his cousin Ryan Subelario, 18, who were accused of raping a 12-yar-old girl twice on March 13 and March 26 in Carcar.
On the other hand, Ricky Mancao, 24, of Barangay Hagnaya, is still being hunted for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl in Carmen last Monday. (FREEMAN)
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