LOCAL police in Argao town are now in pursuit of a man who allegedly raped a sow owned by a barangay official.
Major Michael Roque, chief of Argao's local police force, told SunStar Cebu that he has already ordered his personnel to immediately locate and arrest the man who allegedly raped the sow owned by Barangay Bug-ot, Argao secretary Pamela Bancale.
Bancale's sow was believed to have been sexually abused after her husband discovered that the animal's genitals were bleeding on Monday dawn, July 4, 2022. A pair of shorts, believed to be owned by the man, were also found near the sow.
Roque feared that the "rapist," who remains unidentified, may strike again and this time, would target women.
Roque said they are coordinating with Bancale and her husband, who initially uncovered the crime, to determine who the man is.
He admitted that they can't name the man yet as they lack eyewitness testimony to prove that he raped the pig.
Owner to sell sow
As for Bancale, she and her husband are contemplating on whether to sell the sow. She had planned to keep the sow for swine reproduction but she feared that the animal's sex organ may have been affected as a result of what happened.
Charges ready
Separately, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Gifter Sucalit of the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) said they are ready to file charges for violation of Republic Act 10631 or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 and Article 327 of the Revised Penal Code for conducting malicious mischief and grave scandal on the man, if he will be arrested by their personnel.
Sucalit, who is CPPO's deputy director for operations, said Argao police personnel will have to work double time to arrest the man or he could commit the crime again.
Sucalit believes that the person behind the incident may have been under the influence of illegal drugs when he committed the crime. (AYB, JKV)