Ship officer, 3 others charged for rape aboard ship in Visayas

A ship officer and three companions were charged this week for allegedly sexually assaulting a 22-year-old woman aboard a ship over the weekend.

The four were charged before the Cebu City Prosecutor's Office Monday for the incident aboard the M/V Calbayog, radio dzBB's Cebu affiliate reported on Tuesday.

Those charged for the alleged assault were ship officer Timoteo Sampayan, 32; Aldrin Albarando; Alvin Nalda; and Layman Degañon.

Aside from the charges, the four were barred from boarding the M/V Calbayog and its sister ships, the report said.

The initial investigation showed that the four reportedly invited the victim to Sampayan's cabin, where a brief drinking session and the alleged assault took place.

When the ship docked in Cebu City, the woman reported the incident to authorities who eventually arrested the four. (report from VVP/GMA News)