A 37-YEAR-OLD businessman was arrested at 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, for allegedly raping his 14-year-old stepdaughter in Barangay Poblacion, Liloan, Cebu.
Superintendent Randy Korret, the town police chief, said the victim reported the incident to the principal of the school where she is a grade eight pupil.
The school principal told the police about the girl's fate. The Women and Children's Protection Desk personnel then went to arrest the suspect in his residence.
Korret said it was the first time that the suspect raped his stepdaughter, a consistent honor student. The girl was molested early this year by the same suspect, but no complaint was filed against him.
He said the suspect was previously charged with rape by another complainant, but the case was settled and the charges dropped.
A .45 pistol loaded with bullets was recovered from the suspect, who will be facing complaints for rape in relation to Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children against Abuse Exploitation and Discrimination.
A separate complaint of illegal possession of firearm will be filed against him if the pistol is unlicensed.
The girl was brought to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development for psychological intervention. (KAL/VoxPop Cebu)