Transcript of stenographic notes October 8 (Abridged and edited for study) COURT STAFF: (After swearing in the witness)

State your name and personal circumstances. WITNESS: I am Julia Torres, eighteen years old, single , and a resident of Barrio Talaan, Lian, Batangas. PROSECUTOR: With the Courts permission. Do you know Ronald Galang, the accused in this case? A: Q: A: Q: A: Q: Yes, sir. He is there (pointing to the accused). Why do you know him? He raped me. Where did this happen? It happened on the rice field near Marios house. How did Ronald rape you?

A: I struggled to get free but he pointed a knife at my side and threatened to stab me if I called for help or persisted in fighting back. Q: A: Q: A: Q: So what did you do? Out of fear, I gave in and he raped me. What did you do after Ronald raped you? I kept the matter to myself for a while. Why?

A: Because I was afraid of the trouble that will happen if my parents and brothers found out. They loved me so much. Q: For how long did you keep the matter to yourself?

A: After two days of worrying and feeling bad, I finally told my aunt about it and she in turn told my parents. A: They were quite furious and wanted to take the matter into their own hands but cooler headsn prevailed. Q: So what did you do after that?

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I went to the police to complain. Is that all you did? I also submitted myself to medical examination. When did Ronald rape you? He raped me on June 12 at 7 pm. How did you meet Ronald on June 12? I went to the house of Celia in our barrio to attend a wedding party and saw him there. Do you have any relationship with Ronald? None. He was only my suitor. What were your feelings during the party? I was in high spirit because I met a lot of friends and had a good time. Do you recall any unusual thing that happened at that wedding party? Someone exploded firecrackers nearby and this caused a scare for a while.

Q: You said that you saw your suitor, Ronald, at the party. Did you have occasion to talk to each other? A: He wanted to talk to me but I ignored him because I disliked him for a suitor. In fact, I stayed away from him. Q: A: Q: A: Q: What happened after you ignored him? The married couple danced after supper and people joined in. What did you do after the dancing? At 11 p.m., I took a leave to go and started to walk home alone in the moonlight. Did anything unusual happen during your walk home?

A: When I was about fifty meters from Marios house, Ronald came behind me and requested that bhe walk me home. Q: A: Q: What was your reaction to him? I really did not like him. I declined and doubled my steps. So what happened after you walked faster?

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Ronald caught my arm and wrestled me to the ground? What kind was the ground over there? It was rough ground and dry. What did Ronald do while you were down on the ground?

A: He covered my mouth with a hand so I could not shout. He pointed a knife at me and forced me to yield to him. Q: A: Q: A: Q: A: Q: A: Did it not bother you that you left the wedding party alone by yourself? No, sir. Walking alone did not bother me because I knew everyone in the barrio. What route did you take going home? I took a shortcut across Marios farm, in the direction of our house. Can you describe the path that you took? The path was quite uneven and difficult. How was it? I was used to it and I managed very well.

PROSECUTOR: That is all.