Catholic Priest Convicted in High-Profile Baguio R&pe Case
PRIEST – What began as a disturbing allegation inside a church compound has ended with a guilty verdict and a lengthy prison sentence.
A regional trial court in Baguio City has found a Roman Catholic priest guilty of three counts of r&pe involving a minor, imposing the maximum prison term of up to 40 years for each offense.
According to court documents, the Baguio City Regional Trial Court handed down its ruling on Wednesday, December 17, convicting Father Mark Batolne beyond reasonable doubt for raping a 16-year-old student scholar. After the decision was promulgated, the court ordered his immediate commitment to the national penitentiary.
Aside from the jail sentence, the court also required Batolne to compensate the victim with P75,000 in civil damages, P75,000 in moral damages, and P75,000 in exemplary damages for every count of r&pe. These monetary awards will accrue interest at a rate of six percent annually starting from the finality of the judgment until fully paid.
The charges stemmed from accusations that the sexual assaults took place in March 2023 within the Bishop’s house compound in Baguio City, where the minor was staying at the time as a church scholar. Prosecutors maintained that the acts were carried out through force and intimidation, stressing that the accused exploited his authority and the trust placed in him. Two of the counts further alleged that a deadly weapon was involved.
Batolne, a member of the Diocese of Baguio who previously occupied high-ranking administrative positions, repeatedly denied the allegations. He pleaded not guilty and attempted to counter the charges by presenting an alibi along with testimonies from several witnesses.
In sentencing him to reclusion perpetua for each count, the court concluded that the prosecution had convincingly proven all the elements of the crimes. The judge gave significant weight to the victim’s testimony and rejected the defenses raised by the accused for lack of merit.
Under the Revised Penal Code, reclusion perpetua carries a penalty ranging from 20 years and one day to 40 years and is reserved for the gravest criminal offenses.
After the ruling, the victim issued a statement conveying relief and appreciation for those who supported her throughout the case: “Many did not believe me but I’m happy that the court listened to me. I’m grateful to all who gave me support in this case like my parents, the social workers and my lawyers who fought for me for free. I am now free from worries and I hope I can start something new with my life now that this case is over.”
Batolne was defended by lawyer Ma. Concepcion Castro-Santiago, while the prosecution was handled by public and private counsels, Don Immanuel V.C. Vergara, Jose Adrian Bonifacio, and Victoria Dines.
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