Camp Olivas, Pampanga—A 16-year-old girl was raped by three new acquaintances after downing several bottles of liquor at the home of one of the suspects at Barangay San Cristobal, Licab, Nueva Ecija over the weekend.
Police quickly arrested the suspects after the victim “Nena” (not her real name) sought their help moments after the incident.
The suspects were identified as Nathaniel de la Cruz, 19; Joseph Esguerra, 22; and Francis Ngacngac, 24, all residents of Licab, about 155 km north of Manila in Nueva Ecija’s western border with Tarlac.
“Nena,” a Grade 9 student at a public school in Licab, narrated her ordeal to her parents, who rushed to the police station to file complaints against the suspects.
The victim said she was invited by De La Cruz to dinner, but instead was offered alcoholic drinks. Moments later two other suspects joined them, police said.
Nena told investigators she was sexually abused by the suspects who took advantage of her drunkenness. She said her appeal for them to stop landed on deaf ears.
“I was drunk and helpless. These monsters took advantage of the situation,” the victim narrated to investigators at the Women’s and Children Desk of the Licab police station.
Captain Lauro Puno, Licab police chief, led his men in arresting the suspects at their respective residences.
Puno said the suspects are detained at the Licab police detention facility as rape and child abuse offenses are being readied against them.
BGen Valeriano De Leon, director of Central Luzon PNP, commended Licab police for the swift action.
“Due to quick reporting, we were able to locate and arrest the suspects promptly and the necessary police action was conducted. I continue to appeal to our public to continuously help us in our campaign against all forms of criminality,” said De Leon in a statement.