Couple arrested for alleged rape of 10-year-old niece in Rizal

Police arrested a married couple in San Mateo, Rizal for the alleged rape of their 10-year-old niece since 2018.

According to a 24 Oras report on Thursday, the couple was served a warrant of arrest for nine counts of acts of lasciviousness and statutory rape.

“As early as 2018, talagang ginawan na ng kahalayan ng suspek ang kaniyang mismong pamangkin. 10 years old pa lang, within a period of 5 years,” said Rizal Police Provincial Director Police Colonel Felipe Maraggun.

(A early as 2018, the suspect sexually abused his own niece, now 10 years old, within a period of 5 years.)

Police said the man’s wife had knowledge of the sexual abuse and that some of the incidents occurred while she was present.

“In her presence, gumagawa ng kahalayan yung asawa niya [at] kinukunsinte niya… dapat nirereport niya sa authorities,”  Maraggun said.

(In his wife’s presence, the man continued to commit sexual abuses and she allowed his immoral act which she should have reported to authorities.)

The suspects denied the allegations and claimed that they were being framed by the victim’s parents, who they said were jealous of them.

“Paano ko gagawin yun? Magkasama kami [ng misis ko] halos buong magdamag. Sa trabaho ko naruon siya [at] pag-uwi ko sa gabi, tapos ng out ko naruon pa rin siya. Kahit saan ako pumunta, hindi siya humihiwalay. Ako may anak din ako na 15, 12 at 6,” said the male suspect.

 (How could I do it? I am always with my wife most of the time. At work, when I go home. Everywhere I go she never leaves my side. I also have children of my own.)

“Walang krimen na ginahasa [ang biktima]. Pati ako nadamay, pinakulong mo kami. Kahit magluhod ako sa imo, wala kami ginagawa!” added the female suspect.

(There is no crime that she was raped. Why am I being involved, sent to jail. Even if I kneel before you, we didn’t do it!)

The victim’s family has yet to comment.

Meanwhile, the police said that it may have taken years for the victim to report the incident for multiple possible reasons, including fear.

“Ang nakikita natin diyan sa mga biktima, takot. Minsan mga perpetrator mga kamag anak, so hindi naisusumbong agad,” said Maraggun.

(What we observe victims are afraid. Sometimes the perpetrator is a family member so they hesitate to report what is happening to them.)—Jiselle Anne Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News