MANILA, Philippines – Police arrested on Sunday a 48-year-old man for allegedly raping a 9-year-old girl in San Luis, Batangas.
The Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) on Monday police identified the suspect as alias “Roel,” who was arrested in Barangay Poblacion.
Initial investigation showed that the suspect, a family friend of the victim’s guardians, invited the 9-year-old to lay with him in bed, where he allegedly molested and raped her.
When the victim cried out of pain, her grandmother checked the room and caught the suspect in the act.
The suspect immediately left the 9-year-old’s home, but responding officers apprehended him on his way home.
“Roel” is under police custody and will face a formal complaint for statutory rape.
Article 266-A Part 1 (D) of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act (RA) 8353 and RA 11648, defines statutory rape as a rape committed when the offended party is below 16 years old.