Baguio court convicts priest for 3 counts rape
By: Rimaliza A. Opina
The Family Court of Baguio found a priest under the Diocese of Baguio, guilty for three counts of rape committed on different dates in March 2023 to a six-16 year old scholar of the diocese.
The accused, Fr. Mark Batolne was sentenced to reclusion perpetua for each of the three counts. He was also required to indemnify the victim P75,000 for each count for moral damages, P75,000 for each count for civil damages, and P75,000 for each count for exemplary damages all with six percent interest per annum until the decision reaches finality.
The incidents occurred inside the victim’s room at the retirement house of priests.
Court records showed that the accused raped the victim six times but only three counts were filed by the prosecution because of the victim’s inability to remember when the other three were committed.
Of the three counts, two were committed while the accused threatened to harm the victim with a deadly weapon, which was pointed to her neck.
The victim left the diocese in April 2023 without informing any of her supervisors. She stayed with a relative and continued her studies but teachers observed that she frequently missed her classes. This alarmed her teacher, resulting in her asking what was troubling her student.
After being informed of what happened to their student, school officials informed authorities as well as her parents who were living in a town in Benguet.
Physical and psychological examinations were later done on the victim and a complaint was subsequently filed at the City Prosecutor’s Office in June 2023.
The case however, did not progress when Batolne hid for one year and surrendered only in mid-2024.
In his defense, Batolne said he rarely interacted with the victim and his schedule was packed on the dates he was said to have committed the crime.
Witnesses who were frequently at the building where the crime took place said they never saw Batolne enter the victim’s room, nor did they ever notice anything unusual happening inside the victim’s room.
In Batolne’s defense, the victim’s credibility was also challenged when court records showed she was inconsistent with her statements — an indication that she does not fit the profile of a rape victim.
The court said the victim’s straightforward testimony has more credence versus alibis presented by the defense.
The decision was signed on Sept. 17 by presiding Judge Modesto Bahul and was rendered Dec. 18.
After the reading of the verdict, the court ordered Batolne’s transfer to the national penitentiary in Muntinlupa City.
