Taiwanese arrested for rape of 16-year-old

MANILA, Philippines — A Taiwanese national was arrested on Saturday in Malate, Manila, for the alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl in his condominium unit and for the possession of “shabu” (crystal meth) and drug paraphernalia.

Officials of Manila’s Special Mayor’s Reaction Team (SMART) said that Wei Tang Yao, 55, was introduced to the victim by a certain Gina a day before she was supposedly raped on Friday night.

Maj. Rosalino Ibay Jr., SMART chief, said the victim hid in Yao’s bathroom where she was able to call for help.

After the police verified the information with condominium officials, they arrested the suspect who denied the allegations.

SMART operatives found in Yao’s possession four sachets of shabu and illegal drug paraphernalia such as improvised pipes and a weighing scale.

“The suspect also admitted that he was supposedly arrested in Region III for possession of illegal drugs and the violation of Section 11 of [Republic Act No.] 9165,” Ibay said. —Meg Adonis