AN ITALIAN national was arrested for allegedly trying to rape a 15-year-old girl inside the cemetery in Barangay Poblacion, Badian last Saturday morning.

The victim, a Grade 7 pupil, told the Badian police that Lorenzo Martelli, 46, always catcalled her while she sold souvenirs in a beach resort in Basdiot, Moalboal for a couple of months.

One time, she said that the foreigner, who has been staying in the area for five years, stopped his motorcycle and talked to her while she was at the beach.

Martelli then allegedly asked for her age.

At 8:30 a.m. last Saturday, while she was selling souvenirs, a white vehicle stopped in front of her. She alleged that Martelli pulled her inside.

While Martelli was driving, the complainant said, his other hand held her tightly.

Martelli allegedly told her not to tell anyone in exchange for money, a phone or anything she wanted. He then drove toward the cemetery in Badian and undressed himself and the victim.

While inside the vehicle, the girl said, Martelli began assaulting her.

Two police officers, who chanced upon the vehicle, knocked on the vehicle’s window and stopped what the man was doing.

Martelli will face complaints for sexual exploitation. (JOB)