DAVAO CITY — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Cagayan Valley District Office arrested a town priest for allegedly molesting a 16-year-old member of his ministry in Solana, Cagayan valley.
In a statement issued on November 8, 2022, the NBI identified the arrested priest as Reverend Father Karole Reward Israel y Ubina, who was arrested in an operation last October 18 at around 7:35 in the evening.
The child was accompanied by her parents when she filed a complaint before the NBI.
Acting on the complaint, the NBI conducted an operation on October 18, 2022, operatives proceeded to Solana, Cagayan where priest and victim agreed to meet. At around 7:35pm, a Toyota pick-up arrived and fetched the victim. Operatives tailed the said vehicle until they arrived at an uninhabited rice field located at Brgy. Iraga near Iraga Elementary School and Iraga Presbyterian Church, Solana, Cagayan Valley.
The NBI in a press statement said “When the pick-up vehicle then parked in a dark area, operatives immediately rushed and peacefully approached the vehicle. A male individual, identified as father Karole, opened the window at the driver’s side. “
The priest who is facing multiple charges before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office of Tuguegarao for violation of Article 337 (Qualified seduction) of the Revised Penal Code, RAv 9995 (Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009), and RA 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Law).
Based on reports, the suspect and the minor victim became close when the latter became an active youth member of the youth ministry in 2019.
According to the investigation made by NBI Region 2, the first alleged harassment was made by the priest on February 8, 2022.
According to the victim, she was invited by the priest for a dinner in Appari on the said date and when she drove the teenager back home, he first parked the car near the victim’s house and allegedly kissed and caressed her.
The victim managed to get away from the priest on the said attempt.
On February 22, the priest again invited the victim, but she was brought by the suspect to a hotel where she was said to have been sexually abused by the former.
The Cagayan Valley Information office in a statement stated “The sexual activity became a routine, in which, according to the investigation, most of the incidents happened in motels, hotels, inside the car, and one time at the convent. The last time the suspect was sexually abused was on October 15,.”
The priest is also accused of filming the sexual activities and used the films to blackmail the victim. The threats from the priest to publicize the sex videos stalled the reporting of the case by the victim.
During the arrest of Karole, the NBI confiscated his mobile phone and found six sex videos stored on the same phone.
The victim even attempted suicide, but with the help of his family and her teacher, she was able to tell her experience and was immediately brought to the NBI, which led to the arrest of the suspect.
Tthe suspect has been temporarily freed after paying a recommended bail of P183,000 on Thursday, October 20.
