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Wednesday, April 28, 2004
2 more city casuals linked to gang rape
* Victim says the BFP personnel made her a sex slave for four days
TWO more casual employees of the Cadiz City government detailed at the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in the city were named as suspects in the gang rape of a 17-year-old househelp last April 18.
This raised the number of culprits to already eight.
Chief Insp. Edgardo Ordaniel, city police chief, disclosed that the victim, named only as a certain "Inday", told case investigators that eight persons took turns in raping her after forcing her to drink liquor.
The victim earlier revealed that among those who molested her was the city's fire marshal, identified as Senior Insp. Romeo Gigato, 47, while the other suspects were later named as Fire Officer 1 Andrew Zamora, 30, of Purok San Pedro-Jaena streets, city casual employees detailed to the BFP identified as Roxanne Laguera, Rogelino Cañedo and Antonio Magracia, and Alex Villanueva, the victim's employer, and former BFP volunteer employee.
The two others are still at large and were identified only as John Doe and Peter Doe, Ordaniel said.
He further revealed that during the tactical interrogation, the suspects denied all the accusations hurled against them.
They also refused to give any further statements on the complaint filed by the rape victim, Ordaniel added.
"The suspects just referred us to their lawyer, saying that they won't say anything as of this moment," Ordaniel said.
Drinking spree
Investigation disclosed that last April 18, the suspects were having a drinking spree at Villanueva's house. Villanueva allegedly asked the victim to join them and after two hours he brought the victim inside his bedroom and raped her.
The victim said that she could not resist the suspect because she was very drunk and weak.
The victim was then brought by Villanueva to the BFP.
She claimed that she was presented as a “gift” to Gigato, who reportedly gave Villanueva an undisclosed amount of money in return.
Gigato then brought the victim inside his room and raped her twice.
After Gigato, several others went inside the room and took turns molesting the victim.
Ordaniel said this allegation was confirmed by Insp. Jefferson Descallar, head of the 602nd Regional Mobile Group, and one of the apprehending officers.
Illegal arrest
Ordaniel denied that the arrest of the suspects was illegal.
He said that the suspects made the statement as an excuse to save themselves.
"The arrest was not illegal. It was a continuing crime and the victim positively identified the suspects," Ordaniel said.
Cadiz City Legal Officer Mitch Borromeo said they are expecting the inquest resolution and information to be filed and submitted by City Prosecutor Francise Guanzon before the Regional Trial Court in Cadiz City for proper filing of criminal charges of abduction with rape against the suspects.
If the prosecutor’s office finds sufficient evidence that would warrant a probable cause, Guanzon will then draft a resolution today for the filing of cases.
"I am pretty sure that this case will have a speedy proceeding considering that the victim is a minor," said Borromeo.
As to the casual employees of the City Government of Cadiz, Borromeo said they are now conducting an independent probe but only as to the administrative aspect.
If there is substantial evidence on the administrative aspect, Borromeo said Mayor Salvador Escalante has the power to terminate the employees.
(April 27, 2004 issue)
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