A 39-year-old tricycle driver was arrested for allegedly raping a 21-year-old Irish tourist near a hostel in El Nido, Palawan a day before Valentine’s Day.
Chief Supt. Tomas Apolinario Jr., Philippine National Police Region 4-B (Mimaropa or Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan area) director, identified the suspect as Parry Daquer Gaspe, of Sitio Proper, Barangay San Fernando, El Nido.
A police report reaching the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City yesterday said the victim, “Clara,” booked a room in a hostel after going into a party with her two friends “Lea” and “Oliver.”
The trio rented the motorcycle of Gaspe to reach the hostel. The victim’s friends were booked in a separate hostel and the victim was the last one to be escorted by the driver.
When the victim and Gaspe reached the hostel at around 4 a.m., the suspect offered to help the victim to her room since she was already drunk. However, Gaspe, instead of taking her to her room, dragged the victim and raped her in a dark alley near the hostel.
“The victim resisted and uttered ‘No! Please stop!’ but the suspect instead continued his lustful desire,” police said.
The suspect escaped after the incident and the victim called her friends for help. They went to the El Nido Municipal Police Station to report the incident.
Police immediately conducted a manhunt operation leading to the arrest of Gaspe. The victim positively identified the suspect as the man who raped her.
Gaspe, who refused to issue a statement on the matter, was charged for violating Republic Act No. 8353 or the Anti-Rape Law.