LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Another suspected rapist was collared in Itogon when the victim sought the help of Anti-Crime and Terrorism through Community Involvement and Support (ACT-CIS) Party-list Rep. and Benguet Caretaker Congressman Eric Go Yap who vowed to rid the province of sexual abusers.
The suspect, considered one of the 10 most wanted persons in Benguet, was arrested on May 15 in Kias, Baguio City by virtue of a warrant of arrest for violation of RA 8353 (rape) and RA 7610 (child abuse).
According to a police report, the victim is one of the suspect’s foster children whom he sexually abused from 2014 to 2019.
On April 18, Yap was engaging with some residents in Loacan, Itogon when he was approached by the victim and immediately revealed her ordeal.
Yap then coordinated with Benguet Provincial Police Office director P/Col. Reynaldo Pasiwen who ordered Itogon police to conduct thorough investigation leading to the suspect’s arrest.
The solon is providing free legal, medical, education and livelihood assistance to the victim.
This is one of the countless times Yap has given assistance to victims of sexual abuse in the province.
Earlier this month, another rapist was collared after a mother and child sought the help of Yap for legal assistance.
In February this year, Yap also assured swift justice and condemned the rape and killing of a 10 – year – old girl in the province.
Yap visited and handed financial assistance to the parents of a 10–year-old victim whose remains was found in a ravine in Itogon,
Aside from the financial assistance, Yap also paid the funeral expenses of the victim.
“Wala pong lugar ang mga rapist at killer dito sa ating probinsya. Sa ating mga kababayan sa Benguet, wag po kayong matakot dahil patuloy ko po kayong babantayan at sisiguraduhin ko na ang pagra-rape ay mababawasan. Hindi rin po tayo titigil hanggang hindi nahuhuli ang mga rapists,” Yap earlier stressed.
Yap earlier vowed to construct a safe haven for sexually abused women and their children as one of his priorities for the province.
The construction of this kind of facilities will be a welcome respite, according to Yap, particularly to victims of sexual abuse who will be given free psychological and other interventions to help them get back on their feet.
Yap added facilities, such as safe havens, or halfway houses, will help victims recover easier from the trauma of their ordeals.
