A GRAVE coercion complaint in relation to Republic Act 7610 was filed before the City Prosecutor’s Office in Bacolod City Friday, November 15, against a house helper and her cousin after they tried to abduct the 15-year-old girl in Barangay Mansilingan Thursday afternoon.
Police Lieutenant Florentino Abalayan, chief of Police Station 7, said Friday they charged Mariben Ceraspe, 21, of Paglaum Village, Barangay Mansilingan, and her cousin Reymond Ceraspe, 20, of Barangay Alijis.
He said Mariben was arrested after she mauled the 15-year-old victim while her cousin managed to escape.
Investigation showed at about 3 p.m., the victim, who was at the downtown area, rode the jeep going to Barangay Mansilingan. The two suspects followed her and sat beside her and when they reached Libertad, Mariben asked the victim where she lives.
When they reached the Gardenville, the victim alighted and rode the tricycle, but she was surprised when the two suspects followed her and also rode the tricycle.
When they reached Gardenville 3, Abalayan said the victim immediately opened the gate of their house, but Mariben suddenly grabbed the victim while Reymond served as lookout.
He said the victim tried to escape, but Mariben pushed her to the wall and forced her to go with them.
The police chief added that the suspect slapped and mauled the victim pretending to be a relative of the minor so that the bystanders will not interrupt them, but fortunately, the minor’s companion in the house arrived and sought the assistance of the bystanders to hold the suspects, but only Mariben was arrested.
Abalayan said that Mariben, who was working as house helper in Barangay Mansilingan, denied having plans of abducting the victim.
He said they received information that Mariben was a former pimp at the Bacolod public plaza.
“We are stilling conducting a thorough investigation if Mariben and her cousin are members of an organized group,” he added.