Man arrested for alleged rape of 4 minors

The Manila Police District (MPD) implemented a warrant of arrest against a man who allegedly raped four minors.

According to a "24 Oras" report by Marison Abdurahman on Friday, the suspect allegedly raped his niece in Calamba, Laguna when she was just 10 years old without her mother’s knowledge.

“Hanggang mag-seventeen yung bata, hanggang magpunta na siya sa DSWD at doon nakapagsumbong. Tinatakot daw siya lagi nitong ating suspect na papatayin ang buong pamilya,” said MPD Women’s and Children’s Section chief Police Captain Veronica Apresurado.

(Up until the child turned seventeen, until she went to DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) and file a complaint. She said that the suspect always threatened to kill her family)

The suspect was able to escape to Bicol, where he allegedly raped the three minor daughters of his partner.

His partner reported the crime after her 11-year-old daughter told her aunt about the abuse.

“Nakwento ng bata na hindi lang pala siya ang ginagahasa kundi yung kaniyang dalawang  magkasunod na kapatid, at yung pinakapangatlo ay yung 7 years old na kapatid,” said Apresurado.

(The child shared that it wasn’t just who was raped but her two other siblings too, and her youngest sibling was the 7-year-old)

The suspect, who is now detained at the MPD Detention Facility, said that he was surprised at the arrest.

“Di ko rin po alam kasi ang alam ko tapos na yan kasi nakulong na po ako diyan. Tapos ko na po yan, pinagdusahan ko na po yan eh… Nag-areglo na [sa pamangkin ko] eh, kasi ang alam ko po di naman ako kasama sa kaso,” the suspect said.

(I don’t know either because I thought it was over since I was already jailed for this. I’ve finished this, I’ve suffered for this… We’ve settled [with my niece], because what I know is that I not included in the case.)

The MPD Women’s and Children’s Section said that rape cases were particularly challenging because cases were often reported years after the crime was committed.

“Mostly po, pag nagpupunta na po samin, nakalayo na yung suspect. Ibig sabihin, umabot na ng two years, umabot na ng three years,” Apresurado said.

(Mostly, when we get the case, the suspect has escaped. This means, it’s been two years, it’s been three years)

The MPD reminds the public to remain vigilant to avoid cases of child sexual abuse and to report any form of crime to the police. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/BAP, GMA Integrated News