Uncle accused of raping niece nabbed after 14 years in hiding

After hiding from authorities for 14 years, police finally arrested the suspect who repeatedly raped a then-minor niece.

According to Emil Sumangil’s report on “24 Oras,” the suspect first began taking advantage of his 12-year-old niece, Cindy, in 2006. Cindy was living with her uncle at that time as her house was far from her school.

“Hindi niya rin alam na ganon din pala ang ginagawa ng asawa at anak niya dito sa anak ko,” Cindy’s mother said.

Cindy said she could not do anything against the suspect as he threatened to kill her.

“Papatayin po ako ganon. Na wag ako mag susumbong kasi isusunod ‘yung mga kapatid ko,” the victim said.

After Cindy returned home a year later, her mother noticed that something was wrong.

“‘Di makatulog. Nung ano na po tsaka na namin nalaman kasi nagkakasakit na ng trauma. Hindi naman alam ng doktor kung anong sakit,” the mother said.

“‘Yun nga po sabi niya, mama puputok na. Parang puputok na ‘yung utak ko, sasabog na. Dahil ‘yun nga po kaiisip ng problema niya,” she added.

The suspect was charged with rape in 2007 and a warrant of arrest was immediately served against the suspect, who then went into hiding.

Fourteen years passed before he was arrested in Tabaco, Albay on Monday.

Cindy said she felt relieved with the development.

“Sobrang gaan po sa pakiramdam, lalo na ngayon. Makakapag trabaho na ko ng maayos. Walang iniisip na nananakot sa akin,” she said.

She will also undergo counseling.

“Makikipag coordinate po ako ngayon sa ano, sa ating health office dito sa Tanay at ire-report din sa [Municipal Social Welfare Development office] para mag usap-usap kami para mabigyan po ng moral advice,” said Tanay police chief Lieutenant Colonel Resty Damaso. — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News