Rape charges filed against vendor

RAPE charges were filed in court against a 24-year-old peanut vendor who was arrested for allegedly molesting a 66-year-old woman in barangay Tisa, Cebu City.

Danilo Cominguez, who brought to the Cebu City Prosecutors’ Office for an inquest proceeding last Friday afternoon, didn’t submit a counter-affidavit.

This prompted Assistant City Prosecutor Gandhi Truya to elevate the charges against Cominguez before the Regional Trial Court.

No bail was recommended. In an interview, Cominguez admitted raping the victim.

“Hubog kaayo ko ato. Nagmahay ko. (I was drunk when I raped the victim. I regret what I have done),” he said.

Cominguez was worried since he could no longer be with his three-year-old daughter and live-in partner.

He admitted using shabu before raping the old woman. “Atubangon na lang nako ang kaso. Naa naman na. (I’ll have to face the charges filed against me),” he said.

Cominguez said he is willing to admit the crime when he’s presented in court. He said he is willing to apologize to the victim and the latter’s family.

However, he doubts if he will be forgiven for raping the victim.

“Sakit kay naa koy pamilya. Dili unta ko mosugot matanggong apan unsaon naa naman ni. (It’s painful to be in this situation because I have a family. I wouldn’t want want to be imprisoned but I don’t have any choice at all),” Cominguez said. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol