A Quezon City court on Wednesday convicted former Philippine National Police Custodial Service Unit chief Lt. Col. Jigger Noceda of sexually assaulting former Ozamiz City Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog while she was detained at the facility six years ago.

Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98 Judge Maria Angelica P. De Ramos found Noceda guilty of sexual assault under Article 266-A of the Revised Penal Code.

In a 34-page decision, the court sentenced Noceda to imprisonment of 10 to 12 years and ordered him to pay Parojinog a total of P150,000 in civil indemnity, moral damages and exemplary damages.

Noceda had been placed under restrictive custody after Parojinog accused him of sexually assaulting her. He was later charged with rape, acts of lasciviousness, unjust vexation and violation of the Safe Spaces Act following a complaint filed by the PNP Women and Children Protection Center based on Parojinog's affidavit.

Parojinog was detained at the PNP Custodial Center, which was then under Noceda's supervision, over drug and illegal possession of firearms charges following a police raid on her family's residence in July 2017.

Her father, then Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, and at least 14 others were killed during the raid.

In her affidavit, Parojinog said Noceda sexually assaulted her on two occasions, on 9 June and 7 September.

She alleged that Noceda told her no one would listen even if she screamed for help and that he would not lose his job even if she filed a complaint. She said she managed to get away by telling him someone might see them through the windows.

Parojinog later reported the incidents to PNP officials, prompting an investigation.

She also alleged that on 26 September, Noceda asked her to retract her complaint and apologized for taking advantage of her situation.

“(Sabi niya), 'Nakikiusap ako (Noceda) na i-deny mo 'yung letter at hindi na ako magpapakita sa iyo ulit'. Pero ang sabi ko ayokong i-deny kasi magmumukha akong sinungaling. Sumagot siya 'magpapa-relieve na lang ako. Sorry, hindi dapat ako nag take advantage sa sitwasyon mo'. Yan po ang binitawan niyang salita sa akin pagkatapos noon hindi ko na po siya nakita,” Parojinog said in her sworn affidavit.