A 32-year-old farmer was arrested by the police in Dalaguete town, southern Cebu for two counts of statutory rape filed by his 14-year-old niece.
Dalaguete Police Chief Major Clemente Ceralde and his men served the arrest warrant against the suspect, Rene (real name withheld), who hails from the municipality’s mountain barangay.
The warrant was issued by Judge May Faith Lledo Trumata-Rebotiaco of the Regional Trial Court branch 94 based in Argao town.
No bail has been recommended by the court for Rene’s temporary liberty.
Rene told SunStar Cebu that he began abusing his niece last year when she was 13 years old and continued to do so until she got pregnant and gave birth to a child, who is now four months old.
Rene said that he and the victim would sleep next to each other at his aunt's house during the night.
“Diha mi sa balay sa akong iyaan sir unya usa rami ug pamuyo hangtod nga sa among sige ug tapad ug tulog nadala nadugay,” matod ni Rene.
(We lived together at my aunt's house, sir, we were sharing a bed for numerous nights up to the moment (our emotions overcame us)).
The suspect reasoned out that what happened to them could not be considered rape because they both wanted it.
He added that the minor would even cry if she could not sleep next to him. (BBT, TPT)