British tourist escapes from sex predator in Palawan

A 29-year-old female British tourist nearly got raped in El Nido, Palawan, the third incident of sexual assault in one of the country’s tourist spots this year.

Police Lt. Col. Socrates Faltado, spokesman of the MIMAROPA (Mindoro Oriental and Occidental, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) regional police, said the rape attempt was foiled after the victim was able to fight back and eventually ran away.

The victim, a resident of Bucks in England, was reportedly walking at the alley of the El Nido Beach Hotel in Barangay Masagana at around 4 p.m. on Wednesday when an unidentified man grabbed her.

“She was pushed against the wall and the suspect attempted to pull her dress up but the victim resisted and managed to run away,” said Faltado.

He said follow-up investigation is now being conducted to identify and arrest the suspect.

On Feb. 13 this year, an Irish tourist was raped inside a budget hotel in Barangay Maligaya also in El Nido. The suspect, a tricycle driver, was arrested.

On March 12, police also arrested a 43-year-old man who tried to raped a female Spanish tourist also in Barangay Masagana in El Nido.