Parish priest nabbed after allegedly molesting 16-year-old girl in Cagayan

Parish priest nabbed after allegedly molesting 16-year-old girl in Cagayan

TUGUEGARAO CITY — A 29-year-old Catholic priest was arrested for allegedly molesting a 16-year-old girl in Solana town, Cagayan province, authorities said Thursday, October 20.

Lawyer Arcelito Albao, director of the National Bureau of Investigation NBI-Cagayan Valley Regional Director, identified the suspect as Karole Reward Israel, 29, assistant priest of a parish convent in Solana.

Isarael is facing complaints of sexual harassment, qualified seduction, violence against women and children, violation of anti-photo and video voyeurism law, and child abuse before the Tuguegarao prosecutor’s office.

According to Albao, the priest had molested his victim several times before he was arrested during a rescue operation on October 18.

A team from the NBI tailed the priest when he allegedly asked the girl to meet him again for sexual favors, threatening to leak their sex videos if she refused.

The operation was carried out with the help of the victim’s family.

Albao said the girl is a volunteer youth church worker where the suspect is assigned.

On Thursday, the suspect was released from jail after he posted a P183,000 bail bond.

The Inquirer tried but failed to get the suspect’s comments. INQ