Iming-iming Allowed To Play Cellphones, Men In West Manggarai Molested Children

Illustration of sexual violence. (Between)

JAKARTA - The Lembor Police Chief in West Manggarai, Ipda Vinsen Bagus, stated that a perpetrator in the case of sexual abuse of a minor in West Manggarai with the initials WP (29), faces a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.

"We have secured the suspect," he told reporters in Labuan Bajo, Saturday, which was confiscated by Antara.

He said the alleged perpetrator of WP was charged with Article 81 paragraph (1) and paragraph (2) or Article 82 of Law Number 17 of 2016 concerning Child Protection.

He also explained that the case was revealed after the victim's family reported the incident to the Lembor Police.

"Based on the police report with the number LP/22/IX/2025/Lembor/West Manggarai Police/NTT Police which was received on September 4, 2025, officers immediately carried out a series of investigations and succeeded in securing the alleged perpetrators," he said.

He explained that the alleged perpetrator carried out his actions against the victim on Tuesday (2/9) at his residence. The alleged perpetrator allegedly took advantage of family relations and emotional closeness to persuade the victim.

"The modus operandi of the alleged perpetrator is to lure the victim to play cellphones before finally committing his actions. This is a serious concern for us because the perpetrators used the victim's helplessness to carry out their actions," he said.

The alleged perpetrator of the WP has been named a suspect and is currently languishing behind the cell of the West Manggarai Police detention center.

"We also received additional evidence from the results of the post-mortem which corroborates the statements of the victim's parents," he said.

During the investigation process, the police had examined four witnesses and secured a number of evidences.

Investigators from the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Lembor Police are currently processing the case file for the case to be immediately transferred to the West Manggarai District Attorney.

"We carry out a comprehensive investigation process, including the completeness of the case file to be submitted to the prosecutor's office and we are committed to resolving this case for justice for the victims," he said.

He also appealed to the public to further increase supervision of children and immediately report if they know of allegations of sexual violence.

"This case is a warning that forms of sexual violence against children can occur without striking signs," he said.