By Jennifer P. Rendon
Criminal charges were filed Wednesday against two teenagers who allegedly molested their 12-year-old online chatmate in Mina, Iloilo.
Lieutenant Gina Fernandez, Mina police chief, temporarily withheld the names of the suspects, who are 18 and 19 years old, and residents of the towns of Mina and New Lucena.
Fernandez said the two suspects were charged for violation of Republic Act 8353 or the Anti-Rape Law of 1997) with carnal knowledge in relation to RA 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act).
The alleged rape incident happened evening of January 15 after the victim, a resident of Zarraga town, attended the birthday party of the suspects’ cousin.
The girl allegedly got drunk and was not able to catch a ride going home.
One of the suspects offered their home for the victim to spend the night.
Fernandez said the girl trusted the suspects as they became friends via online chat.
Only the victim and the suspects were inside the house when the alleged rape happened.
The girl went home the following day and told her grandmother, who stands as her guardian, about what happened.
Fernandez said the girl’s father was working in another part of the province while her mother is working abroad.
