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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider American held for raping Filipina GF in Cebu City

American held for raping Filipina GF in Cebu City

Published Feb 16, 2026 03:56 pm

At A Glance

A 43-year-old American was arrested for allegedly sexually abusing his Filipina lover in a hotel in Cebu City. (Contributed photo)
A 43-year-old American was arrested for allegedly sexually abusing his Filipina lover in a hotel in Cebu City. (Contributed photo)
* STORY UPDATE *
CEBU CITY – The woman who accused her American boyfriend, Joe Romero, of allegedly raping her in a hotel room here has decided to withdraw the complaint.
“During the official proceedings, the complainant recanted the allegation, and the case was discontinued due to lack of credible evidence. I was released without prosecution and no criminal case is pending against me,” Romero said in an e-mail to Manila Bulletin on Feb. 25, 2026.
Romero attached the woman’s motion to withdraw addressed to the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office. In her motion withdrawing the complaint, the woman from Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte disclosed that she and the American are already engaged.
The Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed receiving the motion but declined to disclose the status of the case.
CEBU CITY – What was supposed to be a sweet and romantic Valentine’s Day date for an American and his Filipina girlfriend ended up in big trouble.
Joe Louis Camacho Romero, a 43-year-old native of San Antonio, Texas, was arrested for allegedly raping his 21-year-old girlfriend in a hotel Barangay Lahug here on Saturday, Feb. 14.
The couple met in 2024 through a dating app. The woman from Zamboanga del Norte told police that she arrived here a day before the incident after she and the American agreed to finally meet.
The woman said the foreigner promised to marry her once he comes back from the US.
The couple stayed for a night in a hotel in Lapu-Lapu City. In the afternoon the next day, they transferred to a hotel in Cebu City.
The victim said she was shocked that shortly after they settled in the hotel, the suspect started hugging her.
The victim said the suspect asked her to have sex with him but she refused. The suspect got mad. The victim said that the suspect threatened to kill her family. Out of fear, the woman said she gave in.
The victim reported the incident to the Mabolo Police Station. She said the suspect confronted her when she returned to the hotel. A security guard saw the commotion and called the police.
The suspect was apprehended and detained at the Mabolo Police Station.
Romero, in an e-mail to Manila Bulletin on Feb. 25, 2026, said the complainant has filed a motion to withdraw addressed to the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office.

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