For Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), worrying for their children who are often left in the care of relatives is an added burden.
Especially so, as reports often crop up of cases of physical or sexual abuse allegedly committed by the very persons whom OFWs often entrust their children to while they work abroad.
In San Pablo City, Laguna, for instance, a man was arrested last Monday, March 31, following a complaint of his stepdaughters for sexual assault.
According to a report by the National Bureau of Investigation's Cavite North District Office (NBI-CAVIDO North), the arrest stemmed from complaints made by a non-government organization about the suspect's alleged abuse of three minors, all females.
According to two stepdaughters who are 19 and 14 respectively, the suspect started molesting them in 2023, while they were staying at his house in San Pablo City, while their mother worked abroad as an OFW.
Not even the suspect's biological daughter, who was four years old, was spared from the abuse, the complainants added.
The two stepdaughters were reportedly able to free themselves from the suspect's control and sought assistance from the NBI.
The suspect also allegedly used illegal drugs, according to the complainants.
The suspect is now facing charges of violation of R.A. No. 8353 (Anti-Rape Law), R.A. No. 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act), and R.A. No. 9208 as amended by R.A. 10364 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012).
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #OpinYonNews