The Provincial Prosecutor’s Office has ordered a preliminary investigation into a rape complaint filed by a 17-year-old senior high school student against the incumbent chairman of Barangay Centro Poblacion in Compostela.
Deputy Provincial Prosecutor Rucel Cayetano found the complaint against Jian Tristan Ang sufficient for further proceedings after evaluating the referral and evidence submitted to her office.
“After due evaluation of the referral and the pieces of evidence submitted, I found that the referral/complaint contains all the necessary evidence to prove the essential elements of the crime and should be docketed for preliminary investigation,” Cayetano said in a report submitted to the Department of Justice.
The case carries docket number NPS No. XI-01-INV-26G-00158.
Prosecutors had scheduled the preliminary investigation hearing for Aug. 14 at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Nabunturan.
Ang had received a subpoena directing him to appear and submit his counter-affidavit and other supporting documents.
His lawyers, however, asked prosecutors for an extension after recently taking on his case.
They said they needed additional time to review the complaint and prepare the voluminous documents they intended to submit during the proceedings.
Cayetano certified the complaint as sufficient for preliminary investigation on July 16, according to the documents.
The prosecutor’s finding only means that the complaint contains sufficient allegations and evidence to proceed with the preliminary investigation.
It does not establish Ang’s guilt.
The complainant’s identity remains withheld because she is 17 years old.
Prosecutors will determine through the proceedings whether the evidence warrants the filing of formal charges.
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