Man accused of raping, impregnating orphaned minors arrested in Cebu

by Minerva Newman, Manila Bulletin, 19 Jul 2020

CEBU CITY – After evading arrest for more than five years, a man accused of raping two orphaned sisters was finally collared last Thursday, July 16, in Sitio Candagsao, Barangay Talima, Olango Island, Lapu-Lapu City.

According to Communications and Advocacy Officer of the Children’s Legal Bureau (CLB) King Anthony Perez, suspect Rassen Tumulak, 42, had a standing warrant issued by the Lapu-Lapu City Regional Trial Court, which was issued last January 26, 2015, after he was accused of rape and use of trafficked persons.

No bail or temporary release was recommended for the accused.

Perez added that CLB welcomed this development in prosecuting cases against persons who had violated the rights and dignity of innocent child victims.

Among the victims of Tumulak were two orphaned sisters that he allegedly raped by luring and bribing them, and eventually consummating the sexual acts at the residence of the accused.

The younger of the sisters eventually became pregnant at the age of 14 as a result of the crimes committed against her, Perez said.

The minor victims were referred to the Department of Justice-Witness Protection Program (DOJ-WPP), and they were provided the necessary security and assistance. These cases involving the minor victims were referred to CLB by the Lapu-Lapu City Government for legal assistance.

“We will continue to coordinate with the local government unit, social workers, and essential witnesses in seeking justice for the minor victims. We also call the local and national authorities as well as the general public to join us in our efforts to end all forms of violence and abuse against children amid the Covid-19 pandemic,” CLB statement read.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has recorded 2,077 cases of child violence cases since the imposition of community quarantine measures in the Philippines in March, and these cases included family members who were found to have violated child victims by trafficking and sexually abusing them online.

To address difficulties in reporting incidents of child abuse, CLB have made available legal consultations online through its “Children Legal Assistance Forms”.