By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The village chief in Bacolod City’s Barangay 7 is recommending the closure of a restobar where a criminology student allegedly sexually molested a minor earlier this month.

In a radio interview, barangay chairman Hercy Sibug said they are now coordinating with the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) Police Station 2, which is currently conducting an investigation into the incident.

Sibug said if the establishment is proven to be held liable for the incident, the village council will pass a recommendation to the City Legal Office and the Business Permits and Licensing Office for the restobar’s closure.

She added that such action is intended to address issues of serving alcoholic beverages to minors, and prevent the renewal of business permits to avoid similar incidents in the future.

Earlier, Police Station 2 commander, Captain Glenn Montaño said they are preparing rape charges to be filed against the suspect in relation to the Republic Act (RA) 8353, and RA 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

Based on the complaint, Montaño said the incident allegedly took place at a restobar on 17th Lacson Street in Barangay 7 on December 8.

Montaño said the victim was not aware of the incident, but she was surprised when a video, where she was seen sleeping beside the suspect, surfaced on social media.

The suspect was also seen allegedly touching her while they were in a drinking session.

Montaño reminded restobar owners that they are not allowed to accept minors.

They are also not allowed to serve alcoholic beverages to them, he added.

Warning

Meanwhile, the Regional Anti-Cyber Crime Unit in Western Visayas (RACU-6) also issued a warning to the public yesterday to stop spreading the video of the alleged molestation, as they too could face charges.

RACU-6 team leader, Police Major Leopoldo Booc, in a radio interview, said spreading a person’s lewd photos and videos is a criminal offense.

Booc added that the violators will face charges in relation to RA 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act, RA 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act, and RA 995 or the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act.

The police official has also confirmed that they have already received a number of complaints over the incident.

Booc is urging the public to be responsible with what they post on social media./DGB, WDJ