A 61-YEAR-OLD parish priest was arrested after he allegedly assaulted a 15-year-old girl for failing to feed his pet dog in Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City on Wednesday night, Dec. 26.
Fr. Decoroso Olmilla of the Nativity of Mary Parish will face charges for allegedly violating Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act, before the city prosecutor’s office.
PO1 Jinelyn Formentera said the victim’s parents decided to press charges against Olmilla, who allegedly had been abusive to the girl on several occasions.
The incident caught the attention of Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, who said no one has the right to hurt children and women.
“That’s violence against women and children, no matter what is the child’s mistake,” said Magpale, the co-chairperson of the Provincial Women’s Commission and Provincial Council for the Welfare of Children.
She urged the girl’s parents to visit her office so her personnel can help them pursue the complaints against Olmilla.
Operatives of the Canduman Police Station arrested Olmilla around 7 p.m. inside the church on H. Abellana St., after the incident was reported by a caller who identified himself as a concerned citizen. The priest did not resist arrest.
Formentera, the station’s Women and Children’s Protection Desk chief, said the girl was caroling with her friends in the neighborhood earlier that day. When she arrived at the convent around 6:30 p.m., Olmilla allegedly berated her for neglecting her chores, including feeding his dog on time.
The priest allegedly hit her with a cardboard and then kicked her.
A catechist, who requested anonymity, said she could not believe the allegations against Olmilla, adding that the priest is friendly to children.
Olmilla refused an interview, saying he had to consult his lawyer and talk to the girl’s mother.
Meanwhile, the Archdiocese of Cebu said it would not stand in the way of the plan to file charges against Olmilla.
But Msgr. Joseph Tan, archdiocesan spokesman, said it was the first time that he had heard of Olmilla getting involved in any criminal or scandalous act.
Olmilla is also the episcopal vicar of the archdiocese’s Near North District parishes, which are parishes in the cities of Mandaue and Danao, and the municipalities of Borbon, Sogod, Catmon, Carmen, Compostela, Liloan and Consolacion. He is also a member of the Board of Consultors, which advises the bishop in matters pertaining to the archdiocese.
Tan said Archbishop Jose Palma has been informed of Olmilla’s situation and Palma has tasked an investigator to conduct a query on the matter.
Tan said the archdiocese is praying for the truth to come out, adding that it will cooperate with the police in their investigation.
“We will follow the legal process. We will help him (Olmilla), not in covering up his alleged deeds, but in defending him should a case be filed against him,” Tan added. JKV & FMD, AZLG of Superbalita Cebu / KAL