DAVAO CITY -- At least six women surfaced Friday to accuse a ranking police official in Davao Region of rape and other forms of sexual harassment.

With tears rolling down their eyes and shaky voices, the victims narrated to the media how they were allegedly harassed by Senior Superintendent Cesario Darantinao, former Davao del Sur provincial police director, in a press conference called by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (Vacc).

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Among Darantinao's victims is the wife of one of his officers, whom he allegedly raped in his quarters in January 2009.

"I am a public school teacher and the wife of a police officer," the victim said crying. "My life revolved in the house, school, market, and church."

Based on the victim’s statement, she went to the police headquarters in Davao del Sur to attend the election of the Ladies Club officers.

"But it seemed that we did not have a quorum, so I texted him (Darantinao) asking what to do, whether we proceed or postpone the meeting," the victim narrated.

The reply of Darantinao was for the police officer's wife to see him in his quarters where he would give her instructions.

"When I went to his quarters, I just stood outside as I can see him already inside. He asked me to come closer so that he can give the instructions, but I refused," the victim said. "It got him mad so I stepped closer."

Close to breaking down, the 49-year-old victim claimed that Darantinao suddenly shoved her inside his quarters.

"Huwag po sir, asawa din po ako ng officer," the victim narrated, but her plea, she said, fell on deaf ears.

"Ni-rape niya ako," the victim said, crying inconsolably.

The other victims of Darantinao are three lady police officers who are part of the Davao del Sur Provincial Police Office, two of whom are personnel of the Women's and Children's Protection Desk.

"It hurts me that I am one of those advocating for women to be courageous; that I am a women protector yet I was not able to protect myself," said another victim who is a police officer. "We have become victims of the crime we have been advocating against."

One lady officer said that she was asked by Darantinao to present herself for inspection at his office.

Threats

Although Darantinao was recently relieved from his post as provincial director of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Davao del Sur, the police officer is still reportedly lurking around the area.

"We have been told that he is still around, near our friends houses and he is very visible in the city (Digos City)," one of the victims said, adding that her colleagues are very scared for their own lives.

"We also have families too, and children," a victim said.

The women admitted that they have not received any support from the PNP except for the information as to where they should file their case.

Pay-off

One reason that prodded the lady officers to come out in public was a high ranking official’s decision to turn his back on them. The official, the women said, earlier vowed help and support for their cause.

"He said he will help us, but later on he was calling us, telling us na kung hindi ba raw pwede na aregluhin na lang," one of the victims said.

The women were one in saying that this will be a fight they will pursue until the end, and that no pay-off could compensate for the injustice that has beset them.

"Ano, kesyo opisyal siya, we have no more right to fight him?" another lady officer who has fallen victim to Darantinao rhetorically asked during the press conference.

Condemnation

Vacc described the act as bastardly and "nakakasuklam."

"In my 19 years of fighting crime and corruption, this is the first time that I have encountered this," said Dante Jimenez, Vacc chair. "We condemn this in the strongest terms, and I challenge the PNP (hierarchy) to investigate on the matter.”

Jimenez diverted his trip to Cotabato City to Davao City instead just to attend to the victims.

No comment

In a phone interview, Darantinao opted not to comment on the allegation as he has yet to consult his lawyer and that he has not received a copy of the complaints.

"I am still here to attend to the needs of my family. My wife and child are sick. Besides, I know that the complaint was purely manufactured considering it was lodged after my relief order," Darantinao said.

He, however, affirmed that he will face the charges lodged against him to clean his name.

"I came to Davao del Sur as a friend to the policemen and the people, in fact ang ganda na sana ng peace and order, nagpasalamat na lang ako sa mga tao diyan na sumuporta nuon sa aking katungkulan (peace and order has been very good, and I thank the people who supported me during my tenure)," he added.

Efforts to get comments from any official of the Police Regional Office (PRO) in Southern Mindanao proved futile.

Text messages to PRO public information officer were not answered as of Friday. (CPM/With Orlando Dinoy/Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)