17-year-old nabbed for alleged rape of 10-year-old in Navotas

The authorities arrested a 17-year-old, who allegedly raped a minor whom he met on social media, while he was onboard a fishing boat.

According to Emil Sumangil's report on "24 Oras," the authorities searched for the suspect's boat for almost two hours off the coast of Navotas using a motorboat.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) Maritime Group reached the fishing boat and detained the 17-year-old "Totoy" (not his real name) under an arrest warrant for rape. 

“Ten years old po ang victim, na naka-usap ng suspek through social media, eventually, nag-meet up sila sa bahay ng suspek, ‘dun po nangyari ang krimen,” said PNP Maritime Group Chief Police Major Robert Alvin Gutierrez.

Based on the complaint, the crime occurred last February 2022 in Navotas.

“May pamu-mwersa na nangyari, kaya nagreklamo siya. ‘Yung ating victim, agad na nakapagsumbong sa police station, kaya nag-prosper ang kaso, nilabasan agad ng warrant ang suspek Hunyo nuong nakaraang taon,” Gutierrez added.

Since the suspect has no parents, guardian, or lawyer, the media could not ask him for a statement.

The authorities advised parents and guardians to check on the children's time spent on social media.

“I-monitor natin yung social media account ng ating mga anak, hindi natin alam, sa panahon ngayon, gamit gamit ang social media. Pwede itong mangyari sa future victims,” Gutierrez advised the public. -- Sherylin Untalan/BAP, GMA Integrated News