Man accused of detaining TV network talent charged in court

MANILA, Philippines – A man accused of holding his model girlfriend for almost three weeks against her will was charged with serious illegal detention with rape and serious physical injuries at the Manila Regional Trial Court.

Assistant City Prosecutor Leoncio Suarez Jr. recommended the filing of charges last week against Mark Anthony Soriano, 20, resident of 940 Quezon Boulevard, Sampaloc, Manila.

Soriano was arrested on Jan. 14 after the victim’s mother sought police assistance when she received a call from her daughter saying, “Mommy please help me. Stop it. I don’t want this anymore.”

The model, a freelance talent of ABS-CBN and GMA Network  from Makati City, said in a sworn statement that Soriano forced her to take shabu (methampethamine) and have sex with him. She said Soriano also beat her, pulling her hair, and punching and kicking her in different parts of the body.

Soriano disputed her claims. He said that he and his girlfriend were living together in a house rented by the victim. He said she started behaving abnormally after coming from a Malate bar on Jan. 11. He said he was forced to slap and constrain her whenever she tried to commit suicide.

But the 21-year-old victim maintained that Soriano brought her to his house last Dec. 27 and did not allow her to leave. She said he hurt her for the first time on Jan. 11. The following day, she said they argued when she tried to explain that the text messages on her phone were from friends. She called her mother for help but couldn’t give the exact location.

On Jan. 13, they fought again when she tried to get Soriano’s ID to find out the address. She was able to call her mother and give her exact location the next day, leading to her rescue and Soriano’s arrest.