Gabriela urges prosecutor to pursue rape cases vs Babaran

By LITO RULONA,
Correspondent

women’s rights advocate Gabriela has challenged the City Prosecutor’s Office (CPO) to sustain until justice is served on the two counts of rape case filed against Pagatpat barangay chairman Achilles Jude Babaran.

Rhodora Bulosan, Gabriela regional coordinator for northern Mindanao told Gold Star Daily several hours before Nephi Loyola was finally laid to rest at the Cagayan de Oro City Cemetery in Sitio Bolonsori, Barangay Camaman-an, this city on Saturday.

“Nasubo kita kay naulahi ang pagpagawas sa resolution pero wala pa mahuman ang tanan. Kung nahatagan lang sa dinalian nga pagpagawas sa resolution ma-protektahan unta ang biktima,” she said.

Bulosan addressed her challenge to City Prosecutor Fidel Macauyag to extend whatever remedies to sustain the legal battle against Babaran and the suspected assassin who killed Loyola several days before the release of the resolution.

She admitted that the case of rape against Babaran has already weakened because of the death of Loyola but Gabriela’s group in northern Mindanao will still push the case before RTC Branch-22.

“Mao kini among challenge kang Prosecutor Macauyag, unsa imong ma-extend nga tabang ngadto sa biktima ug sa iyang pamilya nga nangita og hustisya,” she said.

Aside from rape and child abuse, Loyola had filed a complaint for violation of the law on violence against women and children in connection with her alleged rape in 2015. The cases were only filed this summer.

They also filed administrative case against Babaran before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Bulosan said they will only stop pursuing the case until the court will render its judgement.

“Dili kita basta-basta molaglag og known ang Gabriela ana nga stance. Walay sibugay. Dili kita basta-basta mohawa ani nga kaso,” she added.

For his part, Macauyag also admitted that the case filed will possibly weaken because the main complainant of the case is already dead.

He said it is now up to the court if they consider the victim’s mother Rizalina, to stand in behalf of the slain victim.

However, Macauyag said if the complainant side would present more witnesses as among those persons being confided by the victim before her death regarding the rape incident, it could stand for the prosecution.

“It could be an uphill fight but it is now up to the court to decide on the matter,” said Macauyag.