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Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Priest files leave from Maslog parish; sub to take over
Fr. Jose Belciña, the Danao City priest accused of raping an 18-year-old woman, officially filed a leave of absence from St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Barangay Maslog.
A substitute is expected to take over, but as of yesterday, Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal has yet to name the priest, said Msgr. Achilles Dakay, media liaison officer of the Cebu Archdiocese.
Fr. Belciña’s decision contradicts the request of some parishioners who have defended him against the complainant’s accusations.
Respect
Dakay asked Cebu’s media workers to respect the church’s intention of keeping the investigation as quiet as possible. He suggested that the media wait for results of the internal investigation by a panel tasked to look into the matter.
The alleged victim filed a complaint before the Danao City Prosecutor’s Office last Friday afternoon, claiming that Belciña raped her three times since July last year.
A church panel went to Danao City last Monday, to gather information on the allegations.
But an insider privy to the matter refused to discuss the initial findings, stating the church’s intention to keep it discreet, and instead asked Sun.Star Cebu to get the trip’s results from Dakay, the official spokesperson.
The source also said what the panel is doing is more a “search for truth” than an investigation. They are doing everything they can to uncover the truth, which includes seeking witnesses, he added.
Complaint
For its part, the Children’s Legal Bureau (CLB) clarified some issues surrounding the complaint.
CLB assisted the complainant in preparing an affidavit against Belciña, after the matter was referred to the bureau by Provincial Board Member Agnes Magpale. The complainant was only 17 years old at the time of the first alleged assault.
But lawyer Joan Saniel from CLB said that the bureau did not assist the woman in filing the complaint, and only learned about it through the media. The woman was assisted by lawyer Chezie Demegillo of the Legal Alternatives for Women Inc.
Saniel wants to meet with members of CLB, Law Inc. and Magpale, so as to organize the case. She said there is a need to talk about the case and identify the lead counsel, if indeed it will be filed in court. (JGA)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 15, 2006 issue)
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