Farmer nabbed for rape attempt

POLICE arrested a 60-year-old farmer accused of sexually abusing his 15-year-old neighbor in barangay Tapon, Dumanjug town, southern Cebu last Saturday.

Police said the girl was gathering firewood together with her cousin in sitio Sub-ong around 9 a.m. last Saturday when Roberto Balucos arrived and hugged her.

Balucos was also accused of touching the girl’s private parts and tried to drag her to his house which was about 30 meters away.

The girl’s cousin shouted for help, drawing the attention of their neighbors.

Balucos ran home after seeing the arriving neighbors.

Police arrived but backed off when the suspect shot them with a slingshot.

PO2 Dionisio Tagopa sustained a bruised left leg.

Policemen returned later and destroyed the back door of the suspect’s house.

Balucos resisted arrest but was eventually subdued.

Police said the girl was still in a state of shock when she was brought to the Dumanjug police precinct.

SPO1 Joselito Abella of the Dumanjug police said the victim sustained a bruise on her left leg.

Abella said the farmer admitted the accusation against him.

A charge of attempted rape will be filed against Balucos, who was detained at the Dumanjug police station./REPORTER RHEA RUTH V. ROSELL