UNICEF to assist gang-rape victim

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  - The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) will extend assistance to a 17-year-old girl who was reportedly gang-raped by eight men during a barangay fiesta in Moises Padilla town recently.

Senior Inspector Robert Mansueto, chief of the Moises Padilla Police, said he had talked with Robert Mac Tavish and Athea Penaloza of the UNICEF Child Protection Section, and the two committed to help the victim (whose name the police withheld) and her family.

Mansueto said the police are planning to relocate the victim and her family because the suspects have reportedly threatened them. The victim's father told the police the suspects were harassing them as he would oftentimes hear shots being fired near their house.

The victim was already transferred from the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Moises Padilla to a crisis center in Bacolod City following claims of threats from the suspects.

Of the eight suspects, one was a former officer of the CAFGU (Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit), while two others were incumbents who are now on AWOL (absence without official leave) status, Mansueto said.

Charges have already been filed last week at the Provincial Prosecutor's Office, and the police were just awaiting the issuance of the arrest warrant against the suspects, he said.

Lieutenant Col. Nathaniel Villasor, 3rd Infantry Division Civil Military Operations officer, said these CAFGU officers were already terminated from service.

Police investigations showed that the victim was having a drinking spree with her friends at a fiesta in Brgy. Alingasaw last June 1, but when she went to the restroom, the suspects followed her. They eventually cornered her, hit her in the stomach and then forced her to come with them to a secluded place where they sexually abused her.

Mansueto also confirmed reports that the victim was left naked by the suspects. She fell into a shallow cliff and later tried to seek for help. (FREEMAN)