Suspects in Muhlach 'rape' charged

(UPDATE) THE two independent contractors who allegedly raped actor Sandro Muhlach were charged before the Pasay Regional Trial Court, the Department of Justice said Wednesday. The DoJ prosecutors filed one count of rape through sexual assault and two counts of acts of lasciviousness against Jojo Nones and Richard Cruz. The prosecutors said that Nones and Cruz acted in conspiracy. The case will be handled by the Pasay City RTC Branch 115. In August, Muhlach filed a complaint before the National Bureau of Investigation against the two contractors with the DoJ in August. Both Nones and Cruz filed counter-affidavits saying that the DoJ should dismiss the case if the allegations were not supported by documentary evidence. But the DoJ said in their 20-page resolution that all elements of sexual assault and acts of lasciviousness are present in the case. The element of force and intimidation was established by Muhlach. "It is clear from the statement of complainant Sandro in his affidavit that he repeatedly resisted and pleaded with respondents to stop their unwanted sexual advances," the resolution read. "Unfortunately, complainant Sandro was physically too weak and dizzy to succeed due to the effects of the drugs and alcohol," it added. The DoJ also said that the delay in the reporting of the incident does not smear the credibility of the accuser.