Call center agent falls for ‘rape, coercion’

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

A call center agent is facing a string of criminal cases after sexually molesting an 18-year-old woman at a motel in La Paz, Iloilo City.

Police identified the suspect as Romeo Timeex Bat-og II, 24, a resident of Barangay Lanit, Jaro, Iloilo City.

Bat-og worked for a call center firm in Iloilo City for about six months already.

Members of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office-Provincial Intelligence Unit (IPPO-PIU) and Women and Children Protection Desk, together with La Paz Police Station, Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 6, and Iloilo City Intelligence Unit, conducted the entrapment operation at The Q Motel in Burgos Street, La Paz around 11 am of Dec 29, 2020.

Bat-og was allegedly caught sexually abusing the teenage girl.

The victim claimed the suspect blackmailed her after he was able to download her “nude video” from the internet.

Bat-og allegedly asked the girl for sexual favors in exchange for not circulating the video via the net.

The victim, who hails from Capiz province, told her parents about the threat.

Her parents reported and asked for assistance from Colonel Gilbert Gorero, Iloilo police chief.

Bat-og will be facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9995 (Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009), RA 8353 (Anti-Rape Law of 1997) and Grave Coercion under the Revised Penal Code.

Recovered from the suspect’s possession were an Asus laptop with charger and laptop bag, KY jelly lubricant, black wallet, and other personal belongings.

Meanwhile, Police Regional Office 6 warned internet users to avoid uploading nude photos or videos online as it can be used to blackmail the victims.

“Blackmailing is one of the most common methods which the abusers use to coerce and control their victim to perform other sexual acts” Police Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, PRO6 spokesperson, said.

Pictures taken during the arrest of Romeo Timeex Bat-og II (left) at The Q Motel in Burgos Street, LaPaz, Iloilo City on Dec 29, 2020.