A 62-year-old man in Barangay Poblacion, Mangaldan, Pangasinan was arrested for allegedly raping his grandchild’s 15-year-old friend.
The arrest happened on Tuesday, December 10, 2024.
The suspect, a resident of Barangay Bateng, did not resist arrest when police served a warrant of arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 15 in Dagupan City.
The charges stemmed from allegations of acts of lasciviousness under RA 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.
“Kinuha ang biktima at dinala ng suspek sa kaniyang kuwarto at doon ginawa ang kahalayan sa minor victim, 15 years old itong biktima,” Mangaldan Police Chief PLTCOL. Roldan Cabatan said.
Police said the rape did not occur only once.
The suspect is detained at the Mangaldan Police Station facility. The court has set bail at P180,000 for his temporary liberty.
The suspect has denied the accusations.
“Insulin dependent na ako for 18 years, may sakit na ako... binintangan [pa] nila ako ng ganyan,” the suspect said.
He believes the accusations stemmed from a personal grudge, though he could not explain the exact reason.
“Hindi naman ako nakikipag-away sa kanila. Siguro ang pamilya niya, mainit ang dugo sa akin,” he added.
Cabatan advised parents to remain vigilant and keep track of their children’s activities.
“'Pag ang anak natin mga babae, monitor natin kung saan pumupunta. Kausapin natin na huwag magtiwala kahit kanino,” he said.
