1 of 4 suspects in maid's gang rape caught

MANILA, Philippines - Police arrested yesterday one of four suspects in the gang rape of a 16-year-old maid in Tondo, Manila on Monday.

The victim said she was on her way to the Don Bosco church early Monday when Francisco Roque, 24, approached her and volunteered to accompany her.

She said when she noticed three other men with Roque, they grabbed her and carried her to a dimly lit portion of a park along Pacheco street, where they raped her.

The victim identified Roque from a police lineup, according to Raxabago, Tondo police station chief Superintendent Roderick Mariano.

Roque named his three companions in the gang-rape, but police temporarily withheld their identities pending their arrest.

Charges of rape in relation to Republic Act 7610, the anti-child abuse law, were filed against the suspects. – Nestor Etolle