QC cops arrest 30-year-old man for allegedly raping 13-year-old girl

Quezon City map. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Tuesday said that a man has been arrested for allegedly raping his 13-year-old former neighbor.

Robert Lopez, 30, was arrested in Quezon City on Monday, March 27, police noted.

In a report, the QCPD said the victim was asleep in their living room when the suspect supposedly entered the victim’s house and touched her private part.

According to police, the suspect held the victim at knifepoint and threatened her that he would kill her if she screams and asks for help.

But the victim managed to escape and immediately tell her mother about the incident, police said. Consequently, the victim and her mother sought the assistance of authorities.

Lopez was subsequently arrested while the victim was subjected to a physical examination at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Forensic Group in Camp Crame also in Quezon City.

The QCPD said Lopez will face charges for violating the Anti-Rape of 1997.

In March last year, then-President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law a bill that raised the age of consent for statutory rape from 12 to 16.

Rape, according to the PNP, is still among the most prevalent crimes committed from July 2022 to January 7, 2023. — Denver Godezano, trainee

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