A PARISH priest was accused of molesting two teenage girls in barangay Poblacion, Aloguinsan town, south Cebu.
The alleged incident involving Fr. Prudencio Operiano of St. Raphael Archangel Catholic Parish Church happened in December last year.
Insp. Gilfred Baroman, chief of Aloguinsan Police Station, said the girls aged 15 and 17 reported the incident to the police only last June 4, saying they delayed taking action because they had no money to pursue a case.
The two girls, who are choir members, told police they finally decided to file charges since they could no longer bear the priest’s attitude towards them.
Charges for acts of lasciviousness in relation to Republic Act 7610 or the Special Child Protection Law will be filed against Operiano on Monday, said PO1 Nimfa Orillo of the Women and Children’s Protection Desk.
One of the girls alleged that on Christmas Eve last year, the priest instructed her to get some fruits from his car parked outside the church.
The girl said she was shocked to see the priest inside the car. She said the priest embraced her and kissed her, and asked her to follow him to his room.
The girl said she asked her cousin to go with her and that while they were in the room, the priest touched their private parts.