Capitol guard to face admin raps

By: Gerome Dalipe

A PROVINCIAL guard accused of sexually assaulted a masseuse inside a public office on May 25 will face administrative charges before the Office of the Governor.

This, after the Capitol’s fact-finding committee, found evidence to conduct a preliminary investigation against Roen Ledesma for disgraceful and immoral conduct.

The committee will recommend to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. the conduct of administrative investigation against Ledesma over unauthorized use of public office for his “massage session” last May 25, 2019.

It will be up to Defensor whether or not to approve the committee’s recommendation, said provincial lawyer Mae Therese Albacete.

But once approved, Albacete said the governor will order the creation a probe committee that will conduct a preliminary investigation against Ledesma.

During the course of such investigation, Ledesma will be asked to submit his sworn affidavit and other supporting documents relative to the charges hurled against him.

The committee opted to proceed with the formal investigation after Ledesma admitted using the office of Provincial Board member Nielo Tupas when he asked the masseuse to massage him.

“He admitted he had his body massaged in the office because he was not feeling well. But he denied raping the female masseuse,” said Albacete.

Ledesma, of Brgy. Bugnay, Barotac Viejo, was accused of raping a masseuse inside the office of Tupas.

Police had also filed a rape complaint against Ledesma before the Office of the Iloilo City Prosecutor.

In her judicial affidavit, the 45-year-old complainant said she was attending to her mother at a public hospital when Ledesma called her for a “massage service” last May 25, a Saturday.

Since she also needed money at that time, the victim agreed. Ledesma then instructed her to go to the Provincial Capitol.

Ledesma then ushered her to the 6th floor of the building and entered the office of Board Member Tupas.

Ledesma then locked the office’s main door and took a bath. The guard also kept on praising the complaint about having a good body shape despite having six children.

While she was massaging him, the victim said Ledesma suddenly held her left arm and hugged her tightly.

She resisted, but the guard overpowered her. She struggled to free herself, but the guard allegedly threatened to kill her.

After raping her, Ledesma opened the office’s main door and the victim ran outside towards the elevator.

The guard offered the victim monetary consideration in exchange for a settlement of the case.

But the complainant declined the offer and pursued the rape case against Ledesma.

Ledesma has been detailed at Tupas’ office since 2013. However, he was recalled for reportedly harassing some female employees in December 2018.