16-yr.-old student raped by friend’s boyfriend after drinking alcohol

Ifugao, Philippines – A 16-year-old student from Lamut, Ifugao is one of the latest victims of rape in Nueva Vizcaya after she was allegedly sexually attacked by her friend’s boyfriend.

Violence against women is one of the continuing concerns in the Philippines. In 2023 alone, the Philippine National Police recorded 13,213 cases wherein 2,644 were rape incidents while 1,923 were acts of lasciviousness.

Authorities were likewise alarmed by the data released by the Child Protection Network Foundation Inc., saying that 2,890 of the 4,079 child violence cases from January 1 – May 26, 2024, were sexual abuses.

The recent cases this 2024 transpired in Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya, according to a local media report on September 23.

Before the incident, it was reported that the 16-year-old victim and the 18-year-old suspect described to be a grade 11 student and his girlfriend who is a friend of the victim decided to have a drink at the suspect’s house.

When the victim felt the effect of the alcohol, she told her companions she was going to use the comfort room. The accused allegedly followed her and waited for her to get out of the bathroom.

Once she was out, the 18-year-old grabbed the 16-year-old victim to the kitchen where he proceeded to rape her. The suspect also allegedly told the victim not to tell anyone about the incident.

Hours after the crime, the case reached the authorities who went after the 18-year-old and arrested him at his house in Bagabag. A case of violation of RA 8353 or Anti Rape Law in relation to RA 7610 or Child Abuse was prepared against the accused.