Man arrested for alleged rape of his 14-year-old stepdaughter

A 32-year-old man was arrested by officers of the National Bureau of Investigation – Central Visayas Regional Office (NBI-CEVRO) after allegedly raping his stepdaughter since the girl was about eight years old.

As it became known, the victim celebrated his 14th birthday on the day the suspect was arrested.

When the officers asked when she had last been raped, the girl replied that the last rape had occurred the night before her arrest.

According to them, the incidents usually occurred around midnight or at dawn.

When asked why she did not immediately report the crime committed against her, she said the suspect had repeatedly threatened her that her family “could be completely ruined”.

Atty. Wenceslao Galendez Jr., NBI-CEVRO Agent in Charge, confirmed that the recent rape incident occurred hours before their arrival to arrest the man.

“Without hesitation, she said it happened that same night or just a few hours before we arrived at her house,” Galendez said.

The suspect remained silent while in custody. He was charged with rape of a minor without being recommended for bail, which carries a life sentence if proven guilty.

“Most of the time he is silent, ra gyud siya. We do not want to force him because he also has the right not to say anything,” Galendez added.

The suspect refused to be interviewed. The victim’s mother also remained silent about the incident.

The girl is taken into the care of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7.

NBI-CEVRO Regional Director Renan Augustus Oliva urged the public to report any information on similar cases to the office so that the NBI can initiate rescue measures.