Case filed vs. ‘soldier’ who allegedly raped Lumad girl

From the Mindanao Times (Sep 3): Case filed vs. ‘soldier’ who allegedly raped Lumad girl
 

AUTHORITIES have filed rape case against a reported soldier for sexually attacking a 14-year-old Lumad girl in Talaingod, Davao del Norte

Sr. Supt. Aaron Aquino, deputy regional director for operations, said the case in relation to RA 8353 or the “Anti-Rape Law” was filed against the soldier, who has yet to be identified.

Two other soldiers were also reported to have raped the girl, but were excluded from the case because they already settled with the victim’s family in the presence of Barangay Captaion Tagpines of Palma Gil in Talaingod.

“The mother changed her mind and she didn’t file a case against the two,” Aquino, who was one of the guests in yesterday’s AFP-PNP press conference, said.

However, Aquino said the two suspects are not yet off the hook because the police will still pursue a rape case against them despite the agreement.

“The PNP will now become the complainant,” he said.

He said they would have to go back to the agreement between the two soldiers and the victim’s family to identify the third suspect.

Col. Ricardo Nepomuceno, commander of 1003^rd Infantry Brigade, told reporters that when they learned about the allegations, they tried to trace the identity of the alleged perpetrator to no avail.

But he said that both Galot and Daniel paid the amount of P63,400 after requesting the family to cut the initial P90,000 blood money payment.

Nepomuceno also said that the miltary is open to an investigation to clear their ranks.

The girl was among the evacuees at the UCCP Haran who was pulled out during the scuffle between police and Lumads, as well as activists, on July 23.

Lt. Col. Eduardo Gubat, spokesperson of Eastern Mindanao Command, said “we are concerned about this and we are willing to cooperate so that the truth will come out.”

The victim is now under the custody of the mayor of Talaingod while the police and military are providing security for the family.

http://mindanaotimes.net/case-filed-vs-soldier-who-allegedly-raped-lumad-girl/