Bureau of Corrections chief confirms girl attacked by inmate

New Bilibid Prison (Monzonda / Wikipedia)

MANILA — Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director Franklin Jesus Bucayu on Friday confirmed that an eight-year old girl who was visiting her father at the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) on New Year’s Day was attacked by an inmate in a suspected rape attempt.

According to Bucayu, the victim suffered bruises all over her body but was not raped, citing a medico-legal report.

Bucayu named the suspect as Norvin Domingo, a “Bahala na Gang” member convicted for robbery with intimidation.

Domingo has been inside NBP since July 2012.

Bucayu said that the victim positively identified Domingo as the one who invited her to go to the park.

“He (Domingo) immediately admitted to the offense,” Bucayu said.

The BuCor Chief said that the child went to the NBP with relatives to visit her father, also a member of the “Bahala na Gang”.

The child also attended a children’s party hosted by the gang for the children of their members.

Justice Secretary Leila M. De Lima said that the child went missing between 2-4 p.m. and found unconscious inside the comfort room of the Roman Catholic Chapel without clothes and a rope around her neck.

“May nakakita daw sa kanila pagpasok sa comfort room,” De Lima said.

Based on the medical report by the Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime Laboratory, the child was not raped.

However, De Lima said that she will also ask the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to examine the child and file a case against the suspect

“If confirmed that there was no rape, we will file a case for attempted rape and child abuse,” De Lima said.

Meanwhile, Bucayu said that Domingo was taken to the disciplinary cell pending the filing of a criminal case against him.

“He (Domingo) will also be sanctioned administratively. He will face the Board of Discipline,” Bucayu said.

Bucayu added that Domingo’s visiting privileges will be canceled and his “Good Conduct Time Allowance” will also be affected.

The “Good Conduct Time Allowance” is required to determine whether an inmate’s sentence can be shortened.