A RAPE complaint was filed Tuesday, October 15, before the City Prosecutor’s Office in Bacolod City against the barker who allegedly raped the 12-year-old girl in the city.

Police Lieutenant Rondyl Tapang, chief of Police Station 4, Tuesday, said they charged Lito Vergara, 37, and resident of Ciocon Road, Barangay 26, Bacolod City.

He said Vergara was arrested in follow-up operation conducted by personnel of Police Station 1 on Monday after the girl sought the assistance of the bystanders at the Bacolod public plaza.

Investigation showed the girl, whose name is being withheld and residing at one of the towns in Negros Occidental, went to Bacolod City after she was scolded by her parents on Sunday.

Tapang said the girl, who rode on a Ceres bus, went to public plaza until she met the wife of the suspect, who helped her after admitting that she ran away.

He said the wife of the suspect, a vendor at the public plaza, helped the victim since she didn’t know where she was going.

“They slept at the public plaza along with the suspect. On Monday early morning, the victim was awakened by the suspect and was asked to go with him in their house in Barangay 26, where he committed the crime,” he added.

The suspect threatened the victim using a knife.

After raping the victim, Tapang said the suspect brought the victim to the public plaza and pretended like nothing happened, but fortunately the victim sought the assistance of the bystanders in the area and she was endorsed to Police Station 1.

He said the wife of the suspect did not know the incident and she only learned about it when her husband was arrested by the police.

Medical results showed that the victim has lacerations.

The suspect was turned over to Police Station 4 since the crime was committed within their area of jurisdiction.

Tapang said the suspect also admitted that he committed the crime.

He said the victim was already in the custody of her parents after they were contacted by the Women and Children Protection Desk.

Tapang reminded the youth to always listen to their parents to avoid similar incidents as well as for the parents to monitor the activities of their children. (MAP)