Man arrested for alleged rape of 52-year-old PWD in Valenzuela

A 24-year-old man who allegedly raped a 52-year-old lady with a disability in Valenzuela City has been arrested, said the police. 

Police Captain Joan De Leon, Valenzuela City Police chief public information officer, said the suspect was nabbed on Friday, September 6, after being caught in the act by responding barangay officers.

The victim, she noted, has mental and intellectual disabilities. 

“Nahihirapan na siyang tumayo. Lagi na siyang nakahiga or nakaupo sa wheelchair. At isa pa ay hindi na siya makapagsalita (She has difficulty standing up. She’s always either lying down or seated on a wheelchair. And she also can no longer speak properly),” De Leon added. 

According to the police, barangay officers were alerted by a concerned neighbor who saw the suspect break into the home of the victim after four attempts. 

“Noong nakapasok na iyong suspek sa bahay, tumakbo na siya at tumawag ng barangay tanod (When the suspect got in the house, the neighbor ran to call for help from the village officers),” De Leon said. 

A group of barangay officers then responded to the scene, together with the neighbor who called for their action. 

“Noong kanila ngang buksan ang pinto ay doon nga nila naaktuhan na itong suspek, nakapatong pa mismo doon sa biktima. Wala siyang saplot, ganoon din iyong biktima (When they opened the door, they caught the suspect on top of the victim. Both had no clothes),” De Leon recounted, based on the testimonies of the witnesses. 

According to the Valenzuela City Women and Children’s Protection Desk, the victim underwent “medico-legal examination” in Camp Crame, which proved that she was raped. 

GMA Integrated News sought the side of the suspect but he kept mum about the rape complaint against him. 

“Wala na lang po akong sasabihin (I won’t say anything), ma’am. No comment,” he said. 

The suspect, however, said he was feeling “mixed emotions” behind bars. 

A complaint for violation of Republic Act 8353, or the Anti-Rape Law of 1997, was filed against the suspect. 

The suspect is now detained in the custodial facility of the Valenzuela City Police. — BAP, GMA Integrated News