கான்வெண்ட் சிறுமிகளை கற்பழித்த கத்தோலிக்க பாதிரியார் கைது

கான்வெண்ட் சிறுமிகளை கற்பழித்த கத்தோலிக்க பாதிரியார் கைது
14-year-old convent girl cries rape vs priest

NATONIN, Mountain Province - A Catholic priest is facing charges of rape and acts of lasciviousness after allegedly molesting convent girls.

Crystal (not her real name), 14 years old, filed the criminal charges against Fr. Gabriel Madangeng Jr., of Hingyon, Ifugao, parish priest in Natonin, Mountain Province.

Two other victims have come to the open reporting a series of alleged abuses committed by Madangeng. As of press time Sunday one victim has agreed to settle out of court.

All victims are convent girls and minors. Madangeng has since been transferred to Bontoc where the case will be heard this week.

Crytal's family refused to settle with the church despite alleged attempts by the Bontoc-Lagawe Vicariate to convince the family for an out of court settlement.

"They said they will pay for the schooling and medication of our daughter, but we will never do that. We are going to fight it all the way, no settlements," Crystal's father said.

The assessment of the Office of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development's (MSWD) finds Crystal "to be impaired as a result of the abuse she suffered from the abuser."

Crystal, in her sworn statement said, on July 2006 Madangeng bound her arms and legs to a bed at the Lay Formation Center of the Natonin Catholic Mission.

Based on Crystal's sworn statement with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Baguio City, Madangeng then proceeded to touch her body including her private parts despite pleas to stop.

"He threatened me with harm and said not to shout for help."

For a time Crystal remained silent about her harrowing experience. But her schoolmates, siblings and parents saw the changes in her.

She was frequently disoriented in school as well as at home at times acting like "her mind was away." She failed in five subjects in school and her mother once commented Crystal was acting like she was crazy.

It was only after Crystal's parents learned of her experience did they take her more seriously. They brought her to the MSWD for counseling.

After the incident, Jovita Salvador of the MSWD said Crystal has ceased to relate with her classmates, feeling depressed, unworthy and has low self-esteem.

"She is still at the stage of hatred and shame; she cannot perform her expected roles in school," Salvador added.

Crystal's father, a policeman in the town, said his wish is for the law to take its course.

The case is pending in court and hearing is set next week in Bontoc. ( Maria Elena Catajan/Sun.Star Baguio)