Catholic Priest accused of multiple counts of rape and sexual assault and taping them

Catholic Priest accused of multiple counts of rape and sexual assault and taping them
Preda News
27 January 2023

It must be the most open and shut case to ever reach a court in the Philippines when a vile-speaking catholic priest allegedly abused a child by allegedly repeatedly (eleven times) raping and assaulting her (six times), and taping the encounters in the King’s Man Hotel in Tuguegarao City.

He allegedly hurt, damaged, and exploited a child to satisfy his sexual desire and lust. He deprived the victim of dignity, rights and a decent life free of abuse. He also disgraced himself and his community of parishioners and fellow priests and Christians by allegedly repeatedly raping a 15 yearly church volunteer.

This week another important first step for justice was taken by the prosecutor of Angelica (not her real name) who was allegedly sexually raped and assaulted by Father Karol Israel when she was 15 years old. This is according to the resolution of Assistant City Prosecutor Kristine R. Marallag-Ave in Tuguegarao City.

The diligent prosecutor resolved a complaint saying there is probable cause that rape was committed eleven (11) times and sexual assault six (6) times by the Catholic Priest Karole Reward Ubina Israel, 29, assistant parish priest in the parish of St. Vincent Ferrewe in Solana, Cagayan. The resolution also states he violated RA 9995 section 4 when he made videos taping these sexual encounters.

Allegedly, according to Angelica, he sent Angelica the videos and blackmailed her threatening to post them online if she told anyone of the abuse and ordered her to submit to his vile lust and crimes. In his affidavit, the priest admitted the sexual encounters but claimed it was consensual sex yet the prosecutor rejected that claim with forceful legal arguments to the contrary.

Republic Act (RA) No. 11648, which does not apply in this case since it was signed into law on March 4, 2022, yet it establishes that a minor below 16 cannot give consent to sexual acts by a person more than three years her senior.

The parents of the child wrote to the Preda Foundation asking for help and assistance to seek justice and help their child overcome the trauma and hurt and pain of the abuse, which help was extended to the family.

There can be no doubt that the child is a victim since the diocesan statement released by the Diocese of Tuguegarao questioning if a crime was even committed when it said: “if there was a victim”.

An effort to make a payoff to the family and child to withdraw the charges and allegations failed.

The family said they wanted justice.

The priest will have to face court and be rearrested since there is no bail for rape.

*The full text of the powerful resolution is on www.preda.org.