Rape cases have been filed against two suspects in separate incidents involving minors in E.B. Magalona and Bago City, Negros Occidental, police said Monday, Oct. 5.
Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office spokesperson Capt. Judesses Catalogo said both minors reportedly sustained physical injuries in the separate incidents.
Police are withholding details that could identify the victims because they are minors and alleged victims of sexual abuse.
In E.B. Magalona, police said the victim, an elementary school pupil, was on the way home around noon when an adult male suspect approached the child and allegedly introduced himself as someone who knew the victim’s father.
The suspect, who reportedly worked as a pedicab driver like the victim’s father, allegedly offered to bring the child home but instead took the victim to another area where the sexual assault occurred, police said.
Authorities later located the child and brought the victim to a hospital for examination and treatment.
Catalogo said the child was already in stable condition.
The suspect was subsequently traced and arrested in Victorias City.
Catalogo said a statutory rape case was filed in connection with the E.B. Magalona incident because of the victim’s age.
In a separate case in Bago City, another minor was allegedly taken from the family home in the early morning of Oct. 1 and assaulted.
Initial police investigation showed that the suspect had allegedly been drinking near the victim’s residence before returning to the area.
Police said the suspect allegedly gained access to the house and carried the child outside while the victim’s mother was asleep.
The minor later managed to return home and informed the family about what had happened.
The child was also found to have sustained physical injuries, police said.
Bago police conducted a hot pursuit operation and arrested the suspect at his workplace after the victim reportedly identified him.
Catalogo said a rape case was filed against the Bago suspect.
Police said the two incidents are unrelated and occurred separately in the two localities.
The NOCPPO said the cases are now undergoing the appropriate legal process, while authorities continue to coordinate with the victims’ families and concerned agencies for their protection and assistance.*
[sibwp_form id=1]