‘Repentant’ pa admits raping daughter, surrenders to cops after 7 years

MANILA — A “repentant” 39-year-old father who was accused, in 2009, of raping his then 10-year-old daughter, surrendered to cops in Bagumbong, Caloocan City, on Tuesday and then owned up to the crime.

The Caloocan City Police arrested Manuel Sia on Wednesday based on a warrant of arrest issued on Tuesday by presiding Judge Raymundo Vallega of Branch 130 of the Caloocan City Regional Trial Court.

SPO2 Eduardo Muscarre of Caloocan City Police’s warrant section said Sia was captured at his house at NorthVille in Bagumbong, Caloocan City after he sought advice at the barangay hall.

Sia, interviewed by the Philippine Daily Inquirer in his detention cell, said he turned himself in to the police after realizing that he must pay for the crime of raping his now 17-year-old daughter.

Sia admitted raping his daughter who was under his custody after he separated from his wife.

After the crime, the victim’s mother brought the victim back to Bicol together with her brother.

“I am not afraid of (President-elect Rodrigo) Duterte. I just want to pay for my sins,” Sia said.  He added that he committed the crime because he was under the influence of drugs  and alcohol, and was angry at being deceived by his former wife.

Although the victim has forgiven her father, the case against Sia will continue.

President-elect Rodrigo Duterte has said that once he assumes power, he will instruct policemen to be tough on criminal suspects, especially those tagged in drug trafficking and drug pushing, and not to hesitate to kill those who will resist arrest.  Duterte has also offered a range of bounties up to P5 million for the capture of drug lords, drug traffickers and drug pushers. He also wants Congress to pass a law restoring death penalty for heinous crimes including drug trafficking.  SFM