11-year-old girl runs off with 28-year-old she met through an online game

Authorities rescued an eleven-year-old girl who had allegedly run off to Lucena, Quezon to be with a construction worker more than twice her age, according to Jonathan Andal’s Sunday report on 24 Oras Weekend.

Authorities also arrested Rodolfo Maglaque Jr., 28, and his mother Aniseta Dacer, 58, during the rescue.

“Hindi namin alam na menor de-edad ang dalagita,” Dacer said.

(We did not know that she was a minor.)

The girl's mother meanwhile recounted that her daughter left their home on April 12.

“Wala po siyang pinaalaman kahit sino. Hindi na po ma-contact ang cellphone niya – patay na po,” the mother said.

(She did not tell anyone that she was leaving. We could not reach her phone—it was turned off.)

According to the police, the suspect and the victim met while chatting through a mobile game.

“Niligawan doon sa chat which is na-convince naman ang bata,” said Malabon Police Chief Police Colonel Albert Barot.

(The boy courted the victim through chat. He was convincing.)

Maglaque said that the girl traveled alone from Malabon to Quezon, and he picked her up at the bus terminal in Lucena.

“Gusto niya raw po lumayo sa magulang niya. Pwede naman po siya sa amin muna. Hindi ko po siya agad naisoli sa barangay. Yun po ang pagkakamali ko,” he said.

(She said she wanted to get away from her parents. She could stay with us for a while. I failed to bring her to the barangay immediately. That was my mistake.)

“Sabi ko nga po sa kanya hinahanap ka ng nanay mo. Kapag ako may pera talagang dadalhin ko siya dito. Wala na pong barangay ng araw na yun kaya hindi na-i-report,” Dacer added.

(I told her that her mother was looking for her. If only I had money, I would have brought her here. The barangay’s office was closed that day, that's why it was not reported.)

After a month of talking, the suspect claimed that he met the girl for the first time on Holy Tuesday. He also admitted that something happened between him and the girl.

“Ginusto po naming yun parehas,” Maglaque added.

(We both wanted it.)

The girl's mother said her child changed after the incident. Her mind seemed to be always wandering and she was almost unable to talk.

“Sobrang hirap nang pinagdadaanan ng pamilya ko ngayon. Hindi ko lang mailabas ang galit ko kasi syempre ang anak ko ay pinoprotektahan ko rin. Hindi ako pwede panghinaan ng loob dahil sa kalagayan niya ngayon,” the mother said.

(My family is going through a lot now. I just can't vent my anger because of course I have to protect my child. I cannot afford to be discouraged because of her current condition.)

The parent decided to file rape and child abuse complaints against Maglaque and Dacer.

“Alam mo yung anak ko 11 years old na walang kalaban-laban. Inano niya ang utak ng anak ko kahit pa sabihin mo na gusto ng anak ko, siyempre bata yan eh. Maniniwala yan sa kanya dahil maganda ‘yung sinasabi niya,” she said.

(You know, my daughter is only 11 years old, and she cannot stand up for herself. He manipulated my daughter. You claim that she also wanted it.  Of course, she’s young. She will believe anything he says because it sounds good.)

Barot, meanwhile, explained that the incident was still considered rape.

“In the case of statutory rape, although consent was given, it is still considered as rape since the victim is still minor,” Barot noted.

But Maglaque insisted that he did nothing wrong.

“Biktima lang din naman ako dito kasi tumulong lang ako. Pati nga nanay ko naapektuhan.”

(I'm also a victim because all I wanted to do was help. Now even my mother is caught up in this.)

“Pasensiya. Huwag naman sana nila akong idamay. Sa anak ko na lang kasi ako po ay matanda na,” Dacer pleaded.

(I'm sorry. I hope they don't involve me in this. This is about my son. I'm just an old woman.)

Maglaque and Dacer are now detained at the Malabon police station. — Mel Matthew Doctor/DVM, GMA News