Statement: The priest invited a 4-year-old into his room

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A Cadiz City clergyman, who served as parish priest in the city’s Barangay Caduhaan, is accused of molesting a four-year-old girl. While police have refused to identify the victim or her family, they did confirm her father was a teacher and her mother worked as a secretary for the local parish.

Police revealed the suspect as Rev. Fr. Aaron Buenacosa, parish priest for the St. Joseph the Worker Church.

Based on a statement provided by the victim’s grandmother, Buenacosa would invite the minor to his room but, since December, she has refused to comply.

Last Thursday, while giving the victim a bath, her mother noticed inflammation in the child’s genital area. The minor was hesitant at first but later admitted to being molested by the clergyman.

Cadiz City police chief, Police Major Robert Mansueto, said they filed multiple charges of rape against Buenacosa yesterday morning before the Cadiz City Prosecutor’s Office.

The police official was unable to say how many counts as they are still verifying the number of times the priest reportedly took the minor.

A medical report of the victim has since been released, which shows signs of molestation.

Mansueto added, they are basing charges on the victim’s complaint affidavit and not her parents./DGB, WDJ