Swift Justice for Victim of Child Rape
May 10, 2019 · By Francis B. Bermido, Jr.
Swift Justice for Victim of Child Rape
Francis B. Bermido Jr.
Jeffrey Agoyaoy, a resident of Subic, Zambales was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of statutory rape under Article 266-A Paragraph No. 2 of the Revised Penal Code and sentenced to suffer the indeterminate penalty of 12 years to 15 years. The decision was handed by Hon. Judge Cristina J. Mendoza-Pizarro of the Regional Trial Court Branch 73 in Olongapo City.
Judge Pizarro in her decision dated April 29, 2019 stated that “the minor (victim) was candid, consistent and straightforward in narrating what the accused did to her. Youth and immaturity are badges of truth and sincerity. It is highly improbable for an innocent child like CM in the present case, who is only 8 years old, to fabricate a charge so humiliating not only to herself but to her family.”
The minor testified in court that on January 2, 2017 she and her older sister and cousins were swimming in a river when Jeffrey Agoyaoy called her and told her that he will give her food. She followed him inside his house, which is near the river, and later to his room. There, he removed her pair of shorts and when he did that she cried and shouted calling her older sister. He then covered her mouth and inserted his finger repeatedly into her. Later, she was brought to the hospital by her mother and she was confined for two days for vaginal bleeding.
The Preda Foundation was alerted to the case by one of CM’s teachers as she was absent from class due to her confinement in the hospital. The Preda social worker visited her at the hospital and offered help to her and her poor family. CM and her other sister were admitted into the Preda Home. There, they participated in the various therapeutic social activities that led to CM’s healing, recovery and empowerment that made it possible for her to bravely tell her story in court. CM and her sister also continued their studies while at Preda and when they were reintegrated with their mother in 2018 the Preda Foundation extended aftercare educational assistance to them to ensure they remain in school.
Today, CM and her sister are healthy and vibrant children eager about the opening of the school year in June, thanks to all of Preda’s supporters especially the people of the community in Horn, Switzerland that contributed greatly towards this success!
