A 36-year-old man was arrested for raping, threatening, and coercing three minor girls into joining a fake gang in Sampaloc, Manila—where he subjected recruits to a disturbing initiation ritual known as “hirap or sarap,” the Manila Police District (MPD) reported on Wednesday, Sept. 24.
Under this twisted rite, girls were forced to choose between “hirap,” which meant being beaten until their faces were swollen beyond recognition, or “sarap,” which meant being raped in exchange for instant gang membership.
His 42-year-old accomplice was also apprehended for recruiting the girls and serving as a lookout during the suspect’s assaults.
Police said two girls aged 13 and 14 reported the suspect’s abuse and revealed his modus operandi while he was planning to recruit another minor.
The suspect allegedly targeted young girls on social media, luring them with false promises of sisterhood and protection.
Once a girl agreed to join, she was forced through the “hirap or sarap” initiation.
Victims who survived either option were branded with a cigarette burn on their hands as a mark of gang membership.
After verifying the victims’ accounts and confirming the suspect’s identity, police launched an entrapment operation at a motel where he was preparing to assault another minor.
As officers approached, the suspect’s cohort—stationed outside as a lookout—alerted him of their presence.
The suspect attempted to flee, but a foot chase ensued. He was eventually cornered after slipping and spraining his ankle.
Further investigation revealed that the lookout was the one who would bring the recruits to the motel to be raped by the suspect.
The MPD said charges for rape, grave coercion, violation of the anti-hazing act, violation of the cybercrime prevention act of 2012, and violation of the anti-trafficking of persons act will be filed against the two suspects who are now detained at the MPD custodial facility. (Patrick Garcia)
