Farmer nabbed

A 75-year-old farmer in Barili town, southwest Cebu, was arrested after he allegedly raped a woman suffering from mental illness.

The farmer did not resist when police picked him in his home last Monday afternoon, a day after the alleged rape.

Police said the farmer owned up to the crime.

A complaint for rape with sexual assault was filed against the suspect yesterday at the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 60 in Barili.

Police said it was learned that there were several sexual harassment complaints against the farmer but they were settled amicably.

Police said the man’s victim was a distant relative.

The crime happened in an abandoned house last Sunday afternoon.

According to the investigation, the victim went to an abandoned house to gather coconut shells.

A resident in the area told police that he saw the suspect following the victim.

The witness said he followed the suspect and caught him molesting the woman.

The witness then reported the incident to the victim’s family.

The victim’s family sought help from the police that led to the suspect’s arrest.

Under Article 13, Paragraph 2 of the Revised Penal Code, an offender over 70 years old can be exempted from criminal liability.

SPO4 Elsa Albuera, chief of the Women and Children’s Protection Desk (WCPD) of the Barili police station, said it’s up to the court to decide on the case./CORRESPONDENT RHEA RUTH V. ROSELL