BAGUIO CITY (Apr. 27) — A Roman Catholic clergyman and a layworker face a complaint of rape and acts of lasciviousness after a 15-year-old convent girl recently surfaced to tell her ordeal allegedly in their hands.

Charged at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office for raping “Elise” (not her real name) is Fr. Gabriel Madangeng Jr. of the Sta. Rita Parish in Bontoc, Mountain Province. Charged with acts of lasciviousness is Bro. Wilfredo Andong of the same parish. Both have yet to file their counter-affidavit with the provincial prosecutor’s office where “Elise” filed her affidavits-complaints recently.

While Andong has been dismissed from service, Madangeng still enjoys church protection, a reliable source said. Church authorities have reportedly offered to rehabilitate the child and promised to keep sending her to high school. They have offered to settle with the victim’s family, the Nordis source disclosed.

According to “Elise,” she was persuaded to go to Bontoc from her hometown, also in Mountain Province after Madangeng promised her high school education, health care and a place to stay. She later enrolled at the St. Vincent High School in June 2006 and has since stayed at the Sta. Rita Convent.

From August 3 to December 11, 2006, allegedly, Madangeng repeatedly raped her.

The Nordis source disclosed that Madangeng had figured in a similar circumstance before, but the church just transferred him after he served a period of suspension. His alleged victim was similarly sent to school.

Sometime in February 2007, Andong and another male companion allegedly invited “Elise” to “get some fresh air” but ended up in a night bar in downtown Bontoc, where he maliciously touched her private parts while he caressed her. “Elise” said she demanded to be brought home to the convent. Before they entered the premises of the convent he allegedly started kissing her against her will and stopped when his companion caught up with them.

Women’s rights advocates have come to the rescue of “Elise” while her prospective lawyers are yet to manifest appearance in court. # Lyn V. Ramo for NORDIS