2 rapists attack call center agent on her way home

SEVERAL tanods aboard a multicab stopped near part-time call center agent Marites (not her real name), as she walked alone in Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City around 1:40 a.m. yesterday.

Since it was raining, investigator PO2a Pearl Anne Flores said that the tanods offered to drive the 18-year-old home.

But the sophomore nursing student refused, Flores said in a phone interview.

“Duol na lang kuno sa ilaha,” Flores said. “Kon nisakay pa siya di siya mabiktima sa rape (She said she was close to her house. Had she accepted the offer, perhaps she would not have been raped).”

Marites continued walking but, when she was near her house, was waylaid by two unidentified men who did not bother to wear masks.

She couldn’t run after one of the men poked a knife at her. Marites was then dragged toward a dim garage on Alinsug St., where several cars were parked.

After the culprits took her cell phone, they undressed her and raped her. The culprits then threw her jeans and underwear inside a garbage bin, Flores said.

Some residents, according to Flores, heard a commotion but did not bother to check what it was. They were startled after they heard Marites shout.

The Mandaue City Police Office’s Investigation and Detective Management Branch (IDMB) has made sketches of the suspected rapists.

IDMB Chief Rex Lomente, in a separate phone interview, said the sketches will help them in their investigation.

Flores said the culprits could be residents in the barangay.

Marites was brought to the pink room of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC).

The girl was traumatized, Flores said. The girl’s underwear, pants, brown shoulder bag, tissue and muddied sandals were recovered from the scene.

Hours earlier, around 7:30 p.m., a teenager was almost raped by her neighbor in the southern Cebu town of Argao.

Police said the 18-year-old Melissa (not her real name), was on her way home when suspect John Michael Lumayag, 19, held her at knifepoint in a dim portion of Barangay Balisong.

Lumayag allegedly demanded money from Melissa, but the latter told him that she has no money. Then they had an argument.

After Lumayag allegedly threatened to rape Melissa, police said, the latter tried to grab the knife.

The suspect hugged Melissa, but the latter resisted.

After both of them fell on the ground, Melissa kicked Lumayag in the stomach and stole the knife.

Lumayag ran after he was identified by Melissa, police said.

Meanwhile, the culprit who mauled, robbed and raped a 75-year-old widow in Can-asujan, Carcar City last Monday is still free.

Police said the widow, who is a moneylender, said her attacker had large eyes and threatened to kill her.

A doctor in VSMMC’s pink room confirmed there were signs the culprit had molested the widow, Fuentes said.