A PUBLIC safety officer (tanod) in Barangay Kamagayan, Cebu City is facing complaints after he allegedly molested five male minors inside the barangay hall.
The tanod, however, reportedly left the barangay after he was confronted by the family of one of his alleged victims.
Police Capt. Armando Labora, Parian Police Station chief, confirmed that a child abuse complaint was filed against July Olmos, 35, before the station’s Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD), on Friday, Dec. 20, 2019.
The aunt of 12-year-old John (not his real name) said they discovered the alleged abuse last Thursday, Dec. 18, after the boy complained about having difficulty urinating.
“I was the one who reported it to the police. We first thought it was a UTI (urinary tract infection), but after we spoke to him, we discovered that he was abused by Olmos,” Jessica (not her real name) said in Cebuano.
She said her nephew told them the incident happened while they were practicing for the “Pasko sa Uptown” contest between Dec. 9 and 10 on the fourth floor of the barangay hall.
“The children practiced on the fourth floor. After they were done, he asked them to go downstairs. But some like John were asked to stay behind in his room, which the suspect locked. He forced himself on John. Olmos even strangled the boy,” Jessica said in Cebuano.
Olmos, who reportedly resided on the third floor of the barangay hall, also served as the barangay information officer and acted as a dance instructor whenever there were activities in the barangay.
Jessica said she, her mother and John confronted Olmos last Dec. 18 at the barangay hall, but Olmos first denied the accusation.
“He said we could check the security camera upstairs. However, the camera is positioned so he can’t be seen inside his room,” she said in Cebuano.
“Olmos was silent when we were face to face. My nephew pleaded with him to tell the truth. When Barangay Captain Raquel Avila confronted him, he broke down in tears and admitted that something happened between him and the boy,” she said in Cebuano.
Avila, for her part, declined to comment on the matter until they found Olmos.
Jessica said they brought John to the hospital to be checked, while Olmos fled after the confrontation and left a notice asking for an apology.
Jessica said John tested negative for hepatitis and syphilis.
“The result of the HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) test will be out next week. John has a urinary infection because his white blood cell count is high,” she said in Cebuano.
Aside from John, four other boys were allegedly molested by Olmos.
Norma, real name withheld, said the suspect also sexually abused her 11-year-old son.
“My son said it happened a long time ago. He said it happened whenever they had practice. We also found out that Olmos had other victims,” she said in Cebuano.
Jessica said they are willing to file a case against Olmos. The family is scheduled to visit the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) on Monday, Dec. 23.
“I will finish what I started, especially when there are other boys involved,” she said in Cebuano.
Patrolwoman Fretzie Mae Saplad of the Parian Police Station’s WCPD said Olmos might be charged with violating Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
“Olmos is considered at large since he is nowhere to be found. We’re waiting for the results of the alleged victims’ physical exams that will be attached to the case. If a case is filed against the suspect, then we’ll just wait for the arrest warrant,” Saplad said in Cebuano.
Meanwhile, Mayor Edgardo Labella will instruct the City Legal Office to investigate Olmos.
Labella will also issue a memorandum to all 80 barangay captains in the city not to let employees live in the barangay hall, saying this is not allowed.
He wants the City Legal Office to file a case against Olmos if the accusations against the latter are proven to be true. / WBS WITH A REPORT FROM JJL