A WOMAN landed behind bars because she called a neighbor, who happened to be a minor, a “whore.”
Jean Alcontin Villejo, a 40-year-old resident of Purok Happy Valley, Barangay West Poblacion in the City of Naga, southern Cebu, was arrested around 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, by members of the tracker team of the City of Naga Police Station.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Junnel Caadlawon, chief of the City of Naga Police Station, Villejo is facing a case for allegedly violating Republic Act 7610, or “an act providing for stronger deterrence and special protection against child abuse, exploitation and discrimination, and for other purposes.”
The warrant for her arrest was issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 76 Judge Albie Carmelo Pescadero in the City of Naga last March 4.
Caadlawon said the minor went home to her parents crying after the accused allegedly called her a “whore” back in March.
Together, they went to the barangay to report the alleged incident.
Because the minor got depressed and wouldn’t stop crying, her parents decided to push through with a complaint.
"They couldn’t take the ridicule their daughter had to go through in the hands of the accused. However, Villejo denied the accusation. And since both parties couldn’t settle the matter amicably in the barangay, the minor’s family sued. Villejo, for her part, never thought they would go this far,” the police official said in Cebuano.
Caadlawon said that what happened to Villejo should serve as a warning to anyone who has an altercation with minors.
Minors can suffer from trauma if subjected to verbal abuse, he said. Go to their parents instead and let them handle the situation, he added.
He reiterated that those found guilty of child abuse can face harsh penalties.
Villejo currently languishes in jail since she can’t afford to pay the bail of P80,000. (GPL, PJB)