CEBU CITY – A police lieutenant has been dropped from the rolls after criminal and administrative charges were filed against him for allegedly raping a minor in Ginatilan town, Cebu province.
The police officer went into hiding after the alleged abuse was reported to the police on Sept. 28.
The suspect was the acting commander of the Malabuyoc Municipal Police Station when the alleged abuse happened.
The alleged victim is 14-years-old.
Police Col. Abubakar Mangelen Jr., chief of the Cebu Provincial Police Office, said the policeman is considered Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL).
Mangelen said the suspect can no longer be considered a policeman after he was delisted from the roster of the Philippine National Police.
Mangelen said another member of the Malabuyoc police was administratively charged for allegedly helping the suspect escape.
Mangelen added that a warrant of arrest against the suspect is expected to come out soon.
“He is considered a fugitive of the law. He is no longer connected with Cebu Police Provincial Office of the Police Regional Office 7 and the Philippine National Police,” Mangelen said.
The abuse was uncovered when the victim’s family sought help from the police.
The relatives alleged that the police official brought the victim to a resort where the alleged abuse happened.