CEBU CITY – A 61-year-old priest was arrested after he allegedly hit a 13-year-old girl inside the convent in Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City.
Fr. Decoroso Olmilla, the parish priest of the Nativity of Mary Church in Canduman, is facing charges for violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.
The girl is the daughter of the priest’s cook in the convent, said PO1 Jinelyn Formentera of the Children and Women Protection Desk of the Canduman police.
The incident happened last Wednesday night when the girl arrived at the convent after caroling with her friends.
The priest admonished the girl for failing to feed his dog on time then hit the girl with a cardboard and kicked her, police said.
A concerned citizen reported the incident to the police.
Police went to the convent Thursday morning and arrested the priest.
Olmilla, who did not resist arrest, refused to comment on the accusations hurled against him.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma has relieved Olmilla from his pastoral duties.
“I felt sad when I heard about the incident. I am apologizing to the family of the girl and to the community if this caused some sadness and shock,” said Palma in an interview Thursday night.
Palma appointed Monsignor Danilo Sanico, the vicar general of the archdiocese, to temporarily replace Olmilla. (Calvin D. Cordova)