Noy to DOJ: Probe rape of nurse

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has directed Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to help investigate the gang-rape of a volunteer-nurse in Maguindanao, the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) said yesterday.

PNA president Dr. Teresita Barcelo said that Communications Development and Strategic Planning Secretary Ricky Carandang called her yesterday to assure her that the President has already asked De Lima to “look into the case.”

“He told me that the President wanted justice served to the victim,” she said in a telephone interview.

Carandang supposedly made the call after nobody from Malacañang welcomed the PNA members who held a “walk for justice” from the PNA office in Malate to the Palace to seek the arrest and prosecution of those who abused the victim.

“We were really disappointed. We were given a runaround. No one could tell us who can receive us in Malacañang. Maybe Secretary Carandang got wind of that so he called. He apologized. Apology accepted but the harm has been done. Is this how the government is treating nurses?” Barcelo added.

Barcelo said many PNA members are now contributing money to help the victim since she was only receiving a stipend as a volunteer-nurse under the NARS (Nurses Assigned in Rural Services) program.

She said further that lawyers from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and from the medico-legal groups have expressed intention to provide free service in the prosecution of the suspects.  

Victim transferred

Meanwhile, the volunteer nurse was transferred Monday night from Cotabato City to a hospital in Davao City for further treatment.

The victim underwent further examination and has been half-conscious and couldn’t speak as a result of the injuries she sustained from the incident.

Maguindanao provincial police director Senior Superintendent Marcelo Pintac said at least six suspects have already been arrested, including a former militiaman assigned in the area.

The militiaman, Melchor Fulgencio also known as Boy Beling, has confessed to his having raped the victim, along with three others. With Mayen Jaymalin, John Unson, Edith Regalado