Senator Francis Pangilinan on Monday stressed that the issue of rape is never a joke following the incident where his daughter, Frankie, received a comment from a certain social media user Sonny Alcos saying that he will rape the lawmaker’s daughter if he was younger to escape from any criminal liability.

Alcos was alluding to the Juvenile Act — authored by the senator — that mandates offenders 15 years old and below cannot be jailed.

“As any regular father, I am worried for her, her safety and her well-being,” said Pangilinan in a statement. “Rape is never, never a joke.”

Alcos has since deactivated his Facebook account.

Previously, the senator’s daughter gained support and criticism for voicing out her opinion about rape and siding with those rape victims who are afraid to speak up about the abuses they have suffered.

Pangilinan also revealed that his daughter has received private messages from women who are afraid of narrating their trauma from sexual harassment.

“From the various social media reactions, I am grateful to those who expressed support for Frankie and our family. We will do all we can to try and make a safe space, even in social media, for our children,” said Pangilinan.

On Sunday, Pangilinan’s wife, Sharon Cuneta, asked Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra’s help in verifying more information about Alcos.

“Ms. Sharon Cuneta expressed her strong desire to file a criminal complaint against the person who posted the offending message on social media,” said Guevarra.

Guevarra said that should Cuneta file a criminal complaint with the DOJ, they will verify the respondent’s identity and address to serve the notice. (Daily Tribune)