Court junks rape versus priest
Published in Philippine Daily Inquirer
April 30 1999
written by Ansbert Joaquin
OLONGAPO CITY-A court in Bataan dismissed the rape charges filed by the
father of a 7 year old girl from San Antonio Zambales against Fr. Shay Cullen
Bataan assistant provincial prosecutor Oscar Lasam said he found no probable
cause to warrant a child rape case against Cullen, an Irish priest who heads the
Preda Child Care Center here.
"We honestly believe that no probable cause exists against the respondent for
the crime he was charged (with)," said Lasam.
He said the victim was cosistent in her statements accusing one Ronald Payumo
and her half brother,"Lasam said.
He said that the girl also gave a staement to the National Beureau of
Investigation that she was raped by Payumo 10 times and by her half brother
twice.
"During all these times (investigations), never did the girl mention to anybody
that she was sexually abused at Preda when she could have easily done so
whenever her father was allowed to visit her at Preda and when she was already
transferred to the Lingap Center," Lasam said.
Earlier, the girl issued a sworn statement to the Commission on Human Rights
alleging that Cullen had raped her while she was at Preda.
The girl said in her affidavit that Cullen gave her a round, orange colored pill
before the priest allegedly raped her.
The girl's American father pursued the case against Cullen because of the girl's
affidavit.
