Teenager accused of forcing abortion on girlfriend

MANILA, Philippines—An 18-year-old student from Tondo, Manila, was charged with inducing the abortion of his girlfriend’s four-month pregnancy based on a rape complaint filed by the victim’s father.

Assistant City Prosecutor Jovencio Senados endorsed the intentional abortion case against John Wilson Jose at the Manila Regional Trial Court on Thursday.

In a statement written from the hospital, the 17-year-old victim said Jose denied responsibility when she first told him on July 27 that she was pregnant.

“I will help you get rid of it,” she quoted Jose as saying, adding that Jose gave her pills that she didn’t drink, though she let him believe otherwise.

On August 18, she brought up her pregnancy again and Jose said he would not take responsibility for the child, especially since it would now be born with abnormalities.

Jose forced her to have sex, the victim said, and then inserted the abortive pill to her genitals without her knowing. The next day she was brought to the hospital for severe pain in the stomach area and was diagnosed with incomplete induced abortion.

The victim’s father, a village watchman, sought the help of the police and arrested Jose on August 21.