By: Jennifer P. Rendon
Kiss marks on several parts of her body and pain on her genitals strengthened the belief of a 24-year old woman that she was sexually molested.
But by whom?
That she has to find out after the supposed sexual assault happened while she was drunk.
Police only identified the complainant as Marie (not her real name), a resident of Iloilo province but works and temporarily stays in Jaro district, Iloilo City.
The complainant told police authorities that the incident happened when a male co-worker invited her to a small birthday gathering on Nov. 25, 2019.
The supposed gathering was more of a drinking session that was to take place at the celebrator’s boarding house at Barangay Bakhaw, Mandurriao district.
Marie claimed she arrived at the venue around 11:30 p.m. and saw five men, including the celebrator, and another woman.
She was made to drink brandy and before she knew it, she allegedly got drunk.
Police Captain Shella Mae Sangrines, Iloilo City Police Office-Women and Children’s Protection Desk (ICPO-WCPD) chief, said Marie woke up early morning of Tuesday with a man on top of her.
Marie, who was still wearing her clothes, claimed the man was caressing and hugging her.
She immediately got up only to realize that she had several kiss marks on her neck and body. She also felt swelling on her genitals.
She investigated but did not get concrete answers.
Later, a male friend had a conversation with Marie via Messenger.
“The male friend was telling her not to drink too much the next time around,” Sangrines said, recounting Marie’s claims.
Marie asked her friend what happened, but she was told that he would narrate what happened the next time they see each other.
Without a clear chronology of events, Marie, together with her supervisor, went to the police station at around 7 p.m. of Nov. 27.
Sangrines said they referred Marie to the hospital for medical examination.
Police now have three “persons of interest,” whose ages range from 22 to 24 years old.
ANTI-VAW CAMPAIGN
Sangrines said she was saddened that the alleged rape happened at the time when the government is gearing for the 18-day Campaign to Eliminate VAW (Violence Against Women).
The campaign started Nov. 25 when the supposed sexual molestation happened.
“True, the complainant got drunk. But it’s never a reason for any person to abuse her,” Sangrines said.
In Marie’s case, she was deprived of reason when the assault took place.
If ever medical examination indicates that she was raped, Sangrines said they will continue the investigation to ascertain who should be held criminally liable.
