By Glazyl Masculino
BACOLOD CITY - A policeman was relieved from his post effective Nov. 18, after he allegedly committed statutory rape on a girl, his niece’s daughter, in Bago City, Negros Occidental.
Col. Romeo Baleros, Negros Occidental police director, refused to name the 49-year-old suspect who was ordered to be transferred to the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) headquarters here.
Baleros said they chose not to divulge the name of the policeman to protect the 11-year-old victim, adding that “this is a sensitive case.”
Baleros said the non-commissioned officer was disarmed and will face investigation by the Provincial Internal Affairs Service (PIAS).
A criminal complaint for statutory rape was filed Monday before the Bago City Prosecutor’s Office against the suspect, said Lt. Leonel Adolacion, deputy police chief of Bago City Police Station.
Adolacion said the suspect allegedly sexually abused his granddaughter, who is his niece’s daughter.
The alleged sexual molestation happened last Oct. 25, 26, and 27, he added.
The incident was reported by the victim to her father when she went home last week.
Adolacion said the victim was staying at the suspect’s house after her parents entrusted her to the suspect, who is also their relative.
“She (victim) is helping the suspect’s family at their house while she’s studying,” he added.
The victim is now with the Department of Social Welfare and Development.