Cult member accused of molesting teenager

Sun Star (Philippines)/December 24, 2004
By Jenefer Besere

A member of the cult group Philippine Benevolent Christian Missionaries (PBCM) who posed as a dentist is accused of molesting a 14-year-old at her home in Cagayan de Oro City at 10:20 a.m. Thursday.

The 30-year-old suspect is identified as Diosdado Sumalinog a resident of San Antonio, Jasaan town in Misamis Oriental and a PBCM member.

The victim, whose identity is being withheld to protect her privacy, was accompanied by her mother in filing the complaint against Sumalinog before the Divisoria police precinct.

The victim told Police Officer 3 Estrella Bariquit of the Divisoria police precinct said the suspect grabbed and kissed her face inside her room.

The victim's mother told the police that they had known Sumalinog for sometime.

It was learned that Sumalinog would fix teeth and make false teeth for people even if he's not a licensed dentist.

The mother said he trusted the suspect especially since his dental services are cheap and they had become clients of his not long after.

The victim's mother said she recommended Sumalinog to neighbors and friends.

It was learned that the victim's mother texted Sumalinog since a neighbor of hers wanted to have false teeth.

Sumalinog went to the victim's house and the mother wasn't around since she was working at the time.

The victim said she let the suspect in because she had known him for sometime.

She let Sumalinog sit in a chair and she entered her room but she was called by the suspect on the pretense that he wanted to check out her teeth.

She said her mother promised to have some retainers fixed on her.

The victim said Sumalinog checked her teeth and then massaged her back before grabbing her face and kissing it.

She stood up and ran off reporting the incident to the neighbors.

On hearing this, the victim's mother called up the police and the suspect was arrested at a house along Capistrano streets this city.

The wife and mother of Sumalinog went to the office of the Divisoria police precinct and on bended knees appealed to them for forgiveness.

However, the victim and her mother were unmoved as they plan to file charges against Sumalinog who's been detained at the Maharlika Detention Center.