By Pat Santos
Daily Tribune
The Manila Social Welfare and Development (MSWD) has ordered the filing of a rape case against its male ward who sexually molested inside the comfort room of the Reception and Action Center (RAC) along Arroceros Street a 16-year-old mentally retarded girl who is also a ward at the same facility.
MSWD head Jay de La Fuente also ordered the temporary relief of MSWD-RAC chief Gene Joaquin to give way to the investigation of the case.
Maria (not her real name) was raped by Nino de Guzman, 26, married, of no permanent address, who was arrested by Luneta Park security men and turned over to the MSWD. De Guzman is now detained at the Manila Police District (MPD) Integrated Jail for a case of rape in relation to Republic Act 7610 or the anti-child abuse law.
Upon receiving the report, De la Fuente immediately ordered the arrest and turnover of the suspect to the MPD and the immediate filing of a case against the RAC chief.
Maria was only brought to the RAC for shelter last October 1 after undergoing treatment at the National Center for Mental Health.
The suspect, on the other hand, was also taken to the place after he was rescued by operatives of the Manila Rescue Team for sleeping at Luneta Park in Ermita, Manila last Oct. 12 and was part of the 80 street dwellers who were rounded up by combined members of MPD Station 9 and MSWD personnel.
Romel Casiano, 36, married, watchmen on duty of the DSWD RAC along Arroceros Street said he was manning the gate of the office at 10:20 a.m. last Wednesday when a minor informed him that he saw a man and a woman inside the comfort room.
Casiano said he immediately went to the toilet to check the information.
“On my way to the hallway, I saw clothes of a man and a woman hanging inside the comfort room, and when I entered, I saw a naked man and a woman having sexual intercourse in a standing position,†the guard said in his sworn affidavit.
The watchmen said he immediately arrested De Guzman and informed Ella Mariz Repatacodo, Social Welfare Officer 1 of the DSWD.
The suspect was later turned over to the MPD for proper custody while a case of rape was filed against him before the Manila Prosecutor’s Office.
When asked, the victim told authorities the suspect forcibly undressed her and molested her inside the comfort room.
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