Woman drops rape charges vs soldiers

MANILA, Philippines - A woman who accused soldiers of raping her has recanted her statement and has dropped the charges she filed before a Masbate court, the Army said the other day.

Lt. Col. Jun Pacatan, chief of the Army’s 9th Infantry Battalion, said the rape case had been withdrawn through an affidavit of desistance the woman signed last Feb. 20. 

Pacatan said Richard Riveral, assistant provincial prosecutor of Masbate, was present during the signing. 

“The affidavit states that the allegation that she was raped or sexually abused by the respondents (Army soldiers) on Jan. 30 and Feb. 2 inside the military camp located in Puro village, Milagros town is not true,” Pacatan said in a statement released by the Army.