Saturday, November 17, 2007 Mariannet could have been raped By Grace L. Plata
MARIANNET Amper, the 12-year-old schoolgirl who committed suicide, was found to have two hymenal lacerations in her genital, raising the possibility of being sexually abused.
The lacerations were reported to media practitioners Friday night by Dr. Tomas Dimaandal, medico-legal of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Crime Laboratory, who did the autopsy on the dug remains of Mariannet.
Davao City Mayor Rordrigo Duterte Friday ordered police to look into the angle of rape in their investigation.
Dimaandal, in a press conference Friday night, said there were two lacerations in Mariannet's genital - deeply healed and shallow healed lacerations.
"Kung gagamitin natin ang relo as reference, yung mga punit sa genital ng bata is in a three o'clock and and a 9 o'clock position. These may be made by a blunt penetrating force like wood or plastic or an erect penis," Dimaandal said.
Dimaandal said the lacerations might have been made by a single or multiple entries.
Dimaandal also said only one external injury was found during the examination and it was on the external neck area.
"There was no sign of struggle or abuse to the body aside from the area where the rope was tied. We conclude that the cause of death is asphyxia by ligature," Dimaandal said.
He also added that it could not be determined whether Mariannet was aided in hanging herself.
"Maaring siya talaga or tinali habang natutulog at saka hinila," Dimaandal said.
Duterte, meanwhile, ordered Talomo police chief Matthew Baccay to investigate the incident further.
"This is now not just a simple suicide but we have to dig deeper into the cause. I believe she committed this because she was raped, the question now is who did it," Duterte said.
The mayor added he does not believe that 12-year-old Mariannet would insert any blunt instrument on herself.
"She might have consented to the act, but as a minor, that is still rape," Duterte said.
Duterte called on those who have any information that can help solve the case.
Duterte said he will also call on Mariannet's father, Isabelo, for questioning.
Earlier, Baccay said the result of the autopsy done on Mariannet's cadaver will prove or dismiss all speculations surrounding her death.
He clarified though at this point in time, they still have not identified any suspect or suspects in the girl's death. (With BOT)
