An incumbent Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) kagawad in San Juan City filed charges against an outgoing SK chairman for trying to rape her during a mandatory SK training at Club Balai Isabel in Barangay Banga Talisay, Batangas on Nov. 30, San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora said.
(Photos by Patrick Garcia)
On Thursday, Dec. 7, Zamora, together with San Juan Chief of Police, Col. Francis Allan Reglos, personally accompanied the victim, identified as 20-year-old Hilary Joyce Santos and her family at the San Juan City Police Station as they filed charges against the suspect, 28-year-old Jovher Sagara. They were also present during the inquest proceeding at the Batangas Hall of Justice on Dec. 1.
Santos and her family sought assistance from the mayor after they were allegedly pressured by certain individuals to withdraw the case.
According to the statement of Santos to the Talisay Municipal Police, while she was looking for a car key inside the room of her friend, Sagara suddenly entered the room and locked the door behind him. He then forcibly hugged the victim, kissed her neck, and tried to undo her bra. She resisted and had the chance to escape from the room.
The victim immediately sought help from her friends where they reported the incident to the police, prompting them to launch a follow-up operation at the resort where they arrested Sagara.
Sagara is now facing charges for acts of lasciviousness.
"The presence of Mayor Zamora underscores the importance of addressing safety concerns promptly and comprehensively especially because it involves a newly elected SK official and an outgoing elected SK official and the alleged acts of lasciviousness happened during an official activity of the SK of San Juan City," the city government said.