Manila - A Filipino congressman was yesterday jailed for life for repeatedly raping an 11-year-old girl forced into prostitution by her own father. The landmark conviction was hailed as a "huge victory" by women's and children's rights groups in a country where child prostitution is rampant and the wealthy and influential can often buy their freedom.
Romeo Jalosjos (57) was captured in January this year after a 23-day search. Helicopter-borne presidential guards swooped on his remote island hideout 500 miles north of Manila, just as he was preparing to flee the country. While on remand he tried to impress the court with his philanthropic tendencies, funding the construction of an ostentatious jail chapel.
This earned him the friendship of 200 Born Again Christian inmates who prayed every day for his release - but failed to move Judge Roberto Diokno, who was allegedly offered a bribe of £43,100 by Jalosjos's family.