Police arrested a 48-year-old man in Pampanga for allegedly detaining and sexually abusing three 12-year-old boys who were earlier reported missing in Quezon City.
Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Brig Gen. Joselito Esquivel Jr., said suspect Michael Patrick Gulapa, a resident of Brgy. Saguin in San Fernando, Pampanga, is now under their custody for qualified trafficking, child abuse and sexual harassment.
A report from QCPD’s Anonas Police Station (PS-9) showed that the three boys went missing on July 8 and were last seen on Maginhawa Street in Barangay Teachers Village East, Quezon City.
Last August 3, one of the boys messaged his sister through social media, informing her that they were in a house in Binondo, Manila.
At least 11 days after, the minor told again her sister that they were in a house on V. Luna Street in Quezon City and were being taken cared of by their so-called “Tatay” who turned out to be Gulapa.
Knowing that his brother was nearby, the sister sought help from authorities of Barangay Krus na Ligas, which was also relayed to PS-9.
However, operatives failed to locate the children in the address provided by the complainant, prompting authorities to coordinate with other police offices in Metro Manila and nearby provinces
On Tuesday afternoon, August 20, the three boys together with their parents appeared at the PS-9 to report what happened to them.
According to the boys, alias “Tatay” brought them somewhere in Pampanga before they were dropped and left on C.P. Garcia Avenue in Barangay Krus na Ligas around 10:30 p.m. on Monday.
Police immediately conducted a follow-up operation and coordinated with Pampanga Provincial Police Office 3 which led to the arrest of Gulapa inside his house.
When the suspect was presented to the minors, they identified him as the same person who detained and sexually abused them.
The minors will undergo counseling at the Quezon City Social Services Development (QCSSD) office while further investigation is ongoing.
Cases of qualified trafficking, child abuse and sexual harassment were filed against Gulapa before the Quezon City Prosecutors Office. (Alexandria San Juan)
