Singaporean Businessman Charged with Raping Minor in Manila in 2020

A Singaporean businessman, Narwani Ricky Ravin, has been formally charged with raping a 16-year-old girl in Malate, Manila, in January 2020. Ravin, who identified himself as the president of Mohan Customs Tailors based in Singapore, could not be reached for comment at the time of reporting.

According to the victim’s affidavit, she decided to come forward to pursue justice after gathering the courage and understanding of her rights. The assault took place on January 27, 2020, inside a hotel, where Ravin, a family acquaintance and friend of her mother, allegedly forced himself upon her.

The victim recounted attending a birthday party for an acquaintance during which Ravin introduced himself to her. Later that evening, he reportedly asked her to visit a connecting room to see a gift he brought from Singapore for her mother. When she hesitated, Ravin’s behavior escalated, and he forced her into the bedroom despite her refusals.

She stated, "Narwani Ricky Ravin insisted I enter the bedroom; when I refused, he became angry, forcibly pushing me inside after threatening to hurt me if I did not comply." Once inside, he allegedly locked the door, restrained her on the bed, and sexually assaulted her despite her protests.

The victim disclosed the incident to her mother afterward, though her initial account was met with disbelief. After reaffirming the truth of her statement, her mother attempted to contact Ravin, only to discover he had already departed for Singapore following the party.

A witness corroborated the victim’s distress by submitting an affidavit describing her visible emotional turmoil as she left the room crying and trembling.

The victim explained the delay in filing the complaint stemmed from her young age at the time and limited awareness of legal avenues for recourse. This case underscores the challenges victims face in seeking justice for sexual offenses involving minors.