28-yr-old lass arrested over sexual affair with 16-yr-old lad

By Paulo DS. Papa

EVEN young males may become victims of sexual abuse, said Police Major Rowena Lim, commander of Naga City Police Station 1, referring to a case involving a 16-year-old boy from Barangay Sabang, Naga City, who allegedly had a sexual relationship with an older woman.

Police withheld the identity of the 28-year-old woman in compliance with privacy laws. She was identified as a resident of Zone 1, Barangay Maragñi, San Fernando, Camarines Sur, who previously rented a housing unit in Naga City with her live-in partner.

Lim, in an interview, disclosed that the boy was the grandson of the owner of the house where the woman and her partner used to live. The woman’s partner worked as a vendor at the Naga City People's Mall.

According to Lim, the woman allegedly engaged in an intimate relationship with the boy while her live-in partner was busy attending to his business at the marketplace.

The police official added that the boy would lie to his parents about attending classes, when, in fact, he would meet the woman and accompany her on several trips, including to Pasacao, Camarines Sur.

Lim said the two allegedly engaged in sexual activities on several occasions. Despite the boy's alleged consent, the circumstances prompted his parents to file a complaint against the woman, who was subsequently placed 10th on the regional list of most wanted persons.

The station commander cited the case as an example of how young males may also become victims of sexual abuse, stressing that such incidents should be reported to authorities for appropriate action.

In May, a complaint was formally filed before the City Prosecutor's Office. On October 9, Hon. Agaton S. Fajardo, presiding judge of the Family Court, Branch 6, Fifth Judicial Region, Naga City, issued an arrest warrant against the woman for seven counts of violation of Section 5(b), Article III of Republic Act No. 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

Lim said the woman had been staying in Antipolo, Rizal, and was persuaded by police authorities to return to Bicol for the observance of Undas.

At around 9 a.m. on All Saints' Day, police operatives led by Lim arrested the accused at a bus stop in Zone 1, Barangay San Vicente, Pamplona, Camarines Sur.

As of this writing, the woman remains in police custody, with bail set at P1.4 million.

Lim reiterated that bail was set at P200,000 for each violation.