By: Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – A 37-year-old barker was arrested and charged for rape after he allegedly molested a 12-year-old girl here last Oct 14, 2019.
Police Lieutenant Rondyl Tapang, head of Police Station 4, said the charges were filed before the City Prosecutor’s Office yesterday morning after results of the medical examination indicated positive laceration on the victim’s genital.
Tapang said the child, who is from Negros Occidental, reportedly ran from home and stayed at the public plaza, where she was seen by the suspect’s wife last Sunday.
Tapang said the barker, whose name was withheld, invited the child to go with him at their house when he saw her sleeping at the public plaza with his wife, who is a vendor there.
When they arrived at the suspect’s house, he allegedly threatened her at knifepoint and abused her.
The suspect earned his living by coaxing passengers to ride jeepneys in exchange for fees from drivers.
The following day, he left the child at the public plaza, where she was seen crying by some female bystanders.
The bystanders brought her to Police Station 1, where she told the police about the rape incident.
Personnel of Police Station 1 arrested the suspect at the public plaza and turned over to Police Station 4.
Tapang said the suspect admitted the crime and told the police that he was allegedly being provoked by the victim.
But Tapang said that “it was just the suspect’s alibi.”
Tapang said they will check if the suspect, who is detained at Police Station 4, has a previous record for a drug offense.
