2 pals charged with raping minor in Valenzuela

The police have arrested two men who allegedly raped a 16-year-old girl with a speech and hearing impairment in Valenzuela City.

“Jamie” was allegedly abused by her former boyfriend, 23-year-old John Elmark Francisco, around 8 p.m. on Nov. 1, and by their common friend, 21-year-old Jefferson Zuniga, two hours later.

The alleged rape took place at Francisco’s home on Malinis Street, Lawang Bato, where the suspects had a drinking spree that night with some friends, according to SPO2 Lorena Hernandez, chief of women and children’s desk of the Valenzuela police.

Jamie was reported missing by her family on Oct. 31.

Francisco and Zuniga were arrested Wednesday and remained in detention at press time after undergoing inquest proceedings. They both denied the charges.

Hernandez said Jamie’s mother learned about the alleged rape after the minor was found wandering in Barangay Punturin, Valenzuela, on Nov 2. Jamie and her mother went to the police to file a complaint the following day.

The victim also claimed that three more men raped her on Oct. 28 and June 28 also at Francisco’s house, but she could not identify them, Hernandez added.

Insp. Jose Hizon, chief of the investigation unit, said five more rape complaints were filed in Valenzuela this week alone, one of them involving a 13-year-old girl allegedly abused by an older friend.