Holy Week ‘peaceful’ in Cebu with isolated cases of rape,robbery
A 19-YEAR-OLD girl was raped by a trisikad driver in Balamban while three tourists reported being robbed in Sta. Fe and Badian towns in Cebu province last Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
Other than these isolated reports, Senior Supt. Noel Gillamac, Cebu provincial police chief, said the Holy Week observance was generally peaceful in the province.
“No major incidents were reported by our station commanders around the province. We are also happy that we are now in control of the traffic flow in Minglanilla town where the Sugat sa Kabanhawan will happen,” Gillamac said.
The annual Sugat at dawn today involves a procession and stage production that reenacts the meeting of the Risen Christ and the Sorrowful Mother, followed by festivities throughout the day in Minglanilla town.
Chief Insp. Richard Gadingan, Minglanilla police chief, was ordered to prohibit people from staging events along the road to avoid traffic congestion.
LAST PASSENGER
The teenage girl who was assaulted was heading home with friends after visiting the Birhen Maria Shrine in barangay Cambuhawe, Balamban.
She accused 28-year-old trisikad driver Reynaldo Monteroso Serenta of raping her.
She was the last passenger after her friends were dropped off in their homes.
PO1 Cherymar Villaces, chief of the Balamban Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD), said Serenta was arrested after he was identified through his trisikad identification number.
The teenage girl said the trisikad driver suddenly changed his route. When she protested, the driver grabbed her and raped her.
Back door
The passenger said she was brought home later by Serenta but she got off a few meters away from her house for fear of what he may do to her.
After Serenta sped away, the girl reported the incident to the Balamban police precinct.
In Sta. Fe, Bantayan island, laptops, sunglasses and watches worth P102,400 were taken by burglars at a house rented by 43-year-old Jose La Torre and 16-year-old Raphael Tioco in barangay Poblacion.
Police said the two tourists learned of the burglary last Thursday evening when they arrived at the house after dinner in Coco Bar.
The burglars entered through the back door of the toilet.
Tour guide
In barangay Matutinao, Badian town in southern Cebu, a Thai tourist was robbed while she visited the Kawasan Falls.
About P19,000 worth of cash was taken from Prateep Natrada. She pointed to a 31-year-old tour guide, Christian Marvin Espra.
The tourist told the police that she left the money in her bag and that the guide took it while she left her bag unattended.
In Mandaue City, Senior Supt. Petronelli Baldebrin said the only recorded crime involved a Korean tourist who was robbed at a mall last Friday.
A suspect was arrested in Lapu-Lapu City.
Senior Supt. Armado Radoc, acting Lapu-Lapu City police chief, said they also arrested two persons carrying drugs and a firearm at one of their checkpoints.
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