Two Pakistani gang rape suspects released?

Two Pakistani nationals arrested by the police for allegedly raping three women in a hotel room in Ermita, Manila last Thursday were reportedly released upon order of the chief city prosecutor, The STAR learned yesterday.

An entry at the police blotter of the General Assignment Section of the Manila Police District showed that Jamil Mohammad, 25, and Saquib Imran, 34, were ordered "released from detention by Chief City Prosecutor Salva."

Mohammad and Imran were arrested by MPD operatives in a room at the Pearl of the Orient Hotel in Ermita, Manila for allegedly raping three women whose ages ranged from 21 to 24. The suspects’ two Pakistani companions managed to elude arrest.

Police said the suspects invited the women to their room, promising to pay them P2,000 each to party with them.

Inside Room 27 of the Pearl of the Orient another Arab-looking male joined them and reportedly smoked marijuana. The four suspects then took turns in raping the three victims. After their ordeal, the victims said they were escorted to the hotel lobby by the suspects and did not give them the promised cash. Instead they warned the victims not to report the incident to the police since they have "friends in high positions" in the government and police force."

The two arrested Pakistanis were charged with three counts of rape.

GAS operatives interviewed by The STAR could not explain why the suspects were released as rape is a non-bailable offense.

"They may be released for further investigation or a preliminary investigation may have been ordered by the chief inquest," said an investigator who does not want to be identified. The STAR tried to get the opinion of GAS chief Superintendent Arturo Paglinawan but he was out of the office at the time.