Rape case slapped against ‘molester’ of deaf-mute woman

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A criminal charge has been filed against a 43-year-old man accused of raping his deaf-mute neighbor in Concepcion, Iloilo.

Capt. Johnny Oro, chief of the Concepcion Police Station, said a case for violation of Republic Act No. 8353, or the Anti-Rape Law of 1997, was filed against alias “Ryan” before the Iloilo Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.

Oro said the results of the medical examination conducted on the 20-year-old victim, alias “Jean,” supported the allegations against the suspect.

Police said the suspect had previously undergone rehabilitation and medical intervention because of his behavior, particularly trespassing into other people’s homes.

He was also previously charged in a drug-related case and was released after serving his sentence.

Police said the suspect also faced several complaints in their barangay, most of them involving acts of lasciviousness.

He was also previously arrested for alarm and scandal in Iloilo City and for motornapping in Concepcion.

Police said the suspect was accused of sexually assaulting the victim on the morning of April 19.

The victim said the suspect molested her in a bushy area in their village at about 7 a.m. Sunday.

A barangay official reported the incident to police more than four hours later.

Authorities arrested the suspect in a hot pursuit operation in a mountainous area of the same barangay at about 7:30 p.m.

Police investigation showed that the victim was walking along a barangay road when the suspect allegedly dragged her into a bushy area beside the road.

Investigators said the suspect then punched her in the stomach, causing her to fall to the ground.

Police said the suspect forcibly pulled down her pajamas and underwear.

Authorities added that the suspect also undressed and forced himself on the complainant.

After the incident, the victim complained of severe pain in her stomach and lower body.

The victim also claimed the suspect gave her PHP 500.

In his defense, Ryan claimed that the woman offered herself to him.

Ryan also told investigators that Jean later asked him for PHP 500.

He said the woman allegedly left crying after he refused to give her the money.