Barangay hit for rape suspect’s escape

Idralin Matuguinas

The family of a teenage girl on Monday accused barangay (village) authorities of letting an attempted rape suspect escape in Quezon City on Sunday.

The Quezon City Police District is considering charges against watchmen of Barangay Pasong Tamo for the escape of Idralin Matuguinas, 19.

A 15 year-old-girl claimed that Matuguinas tried to rape her at the latter’s house on Saturday night. QCPD director Senior Supt. Richard Albano said a manhunt had been launched for the suspect.

The girl’s mother found out of the attempted rape on Sunday morning. The teenaged suspect allegedly invited her to his house and began molesting her, but the girl was able to escape.

As she recounted her ordeal, the girl’s relatives got angry and rushed to Matuguinas’s house to confront him. The suspect’s family in turn accused the victim’s kin of creating trouble.

Both parties were brought to the barangay hall for a confrontation but the watchmen allegedly let the suspect go.—Julie M. Aurelio