death penalty news June 8, 2004
PHILIPPINES: Rape convict escapes death penalty A 20-year-old man who was accused of raping his own seven-year-old sister last year inside their house in Matina Aplaya here has pleaded guilty, his admission allowing him to escape the death penalty imposed on such crime. Kitch Bama, who pleaded guilty with the aid of his lawyer, was sentenced to eight years in prison by Regional Trial Court Branch 12 Judge Paul Arcangel. He was also directed to pay P50,000 to his sister. Based on court records, the victim was reportedly sleeping beside the accused inside their house at around 3 a.m. of April 2, 2003. The accused who was then drunk proceeded to rape his own sister. The victim's mother was awakened by the loud cry of his daughter and immediately confronted her son. Bama reportedly went berserk and tried to attack his sister and mother. The victim and her mother hurriedly escaped and reported the matter to a nearby police station. (source: Minda News)
