INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Authorities arrested a 53-year-old tricycle driver for allegedly raping a senior high school passenger at a memorial park in Quezon City, the police said on Monday.
According to the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), its operatives identified and apprehended suspect Edwin Lau last July 1 in a follow-up operation after receiving a complaint from the victim’s mother.
The victim’s companion, who was also a witness, hailed Lau’s tricycle in California Village, Barangay San Bartolome, Novaliches, and told him to take the 17-year-old to a nearby convenience store, according to police. Lau convinced the victim to go somewhere else in the guise of needing to pick something up.
QCPD said the suspect brought her to the Holy Cross Cemetery, where he allegedly molested and sexually abused her. When the victim tried to defend herself, the tricycle driver repeatedly punched her and then eventually raped her.
Lau was arrested after the mother’s victim learned about the incident. The suspect and the victim were brought to Novaliches District Hospital and the Philippine National Police Forensic Group in Camp Crame, respectively, for physical examination.
The suspect is currently under police custody, while the victim was turned over to the Women and children protection center for the case’s investigation and proper disposition.