Scrap buyer accused of raping 8-year-old niece arrested

CEBU, Philippines —  A 54-year-old scrap buyer was arrested by the members of the police’s Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) by virtue of a warrant of arrest for allegedly raping his 8-year-old niece 22 times for two years since 2008.

Police Lt. Zosimo Ravanes Jr. of AKG-Visayas Field Unit said they arrested the suspect at Sitio Nangka, Barangay Tungasan, Olango Island, Lapu-Lapu City at around 2 p.m. Thursday.

Ravanes said the suspect has been ranked 4th on the list of most wanted person of Lapu-Lapu City Police Station 1 after his warrant of arrest came out on September 15, 2021 issued by Judge Jose Alfonso Maliper Gomos of Family Court, Branch 5 in Lapu-Lapu City.

No bail recommended for the accused.

According to the affidavit of the victim, Ravanes said, the crime was committed in 2008 back when the suspect stood as guardian to the victim along with her brother.

“Which is 8 years old pa ning biktima, naa ni niya gipuyo that time kay iyang papa napriso, then gi-abandon sad siya sa iyang mama 3-years-old pa lang sila, sila duha sa iyang igsuon nga lalaki nga gi-adopt aning iyang uyoan,” said Ravanes.

He added, the raping continued up to the year 2010 in which the victim could recall as many as 22 times.

Based on her narrative, the victim said that it started when she sleeps alongside with her brother when the accused would crawl up to her while everyone is asleep.

“Huboan kuno siya, then orasyonan kuno ni iyang kinatawo, gikurusan, then orasyonan...everytime nga rape-pon siya mao kuno nay gibuhat sa iya,” said Ravanes.

Police said, the now 21-year-old victim, who is already married now, decided to file charges on April this year after suffering trauma.

She also added that the suspect threatened to kill her brother should she will report the incident to the authorities.

In an interview also with the suspect, Ravanes said, he claimed that he was falsely accused by the victim after he got into an argument with her.

“Unya kay tapad ra man ni sila og balay, nagkabit og kuryente sa ilaha (suspect) nya giawayan ilang gitangtangan og kuryente, wa nay kuryente sa ilaha, didto na nag-away na...mao ni ilang giingon nga nag trigger nga gipasanginlan kuno og rape,” said Ravanes.

As evidence, Ravanes said the victim claimed to have undergone medical checkup. — GMR (FREEMAN)