Australian convicted in 2013 rape of Filipina – DOJ 

The Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Friday that an Australian national was found guilty of raping a Filipino woman in 2013 and given a minimum 20-year prison sentence by a Bulacan court.

According to the DOJ, the Malolos Regional Trial Court Branch 78 found Ronald Cole guilty beyond reasonable doubt for rape and sentenced him to suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua, or imprisonment from 20 to 40 years.

The court also ordered Cole, who has been permanently living in the Philippines since 2011 under a Special Resident Retiree’s Visa, to pay his victim P225,000 in damages.

The complainant, who resided in the house owned by the accused at the time, said he offered her medicine when she was ill in January 2013 under the pretense that this would make her better. 

She said her body felt numb and very weak after taking the pill. The accused then raped and abused her, which happened more than 10 times, or at least three times a week. 

Cole denied the allegations. 

In convicting him, the court stressed that rape is a crime that is committed in isolation or secret.

“As such, the accused may be convicted of rape on the basis of the victim’s sole testimony, provided such testimony is logical, credible, consistent, and convincing,” the court was quoted as saying.

“Furthermore, against the straightforward and categorical testimony of the complainant, the accused only offered bare denial. [The] accused was not able to establish any ill motive that could have compelled the complainant to falsely accuse him of rape,” it added.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla hoped the case would serve as a deterrent against those who “continuously oppress the weak and vulnerable, especially women, for their [own] self-interest.”

The DOJ said Cole is also facing charges of qualified trafficking in persons involving minors pending before another Family Court.  — VBL, GMA Integrated News