DOJ: Rape charges can be filed vs perpetrators of massacre

Aside from murder charges, rape charges could also be filed against the perpetrators of the November 23 massacre in Ampatuan, Maguindanao, according to Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera. "We go by the evidence. Maaring mag-file ng rape charges against those involved hangga't may ebidensya (Rape charges can be filed against those involved as long as there is evidence), said Devanadera in an interview with GMANews.TV on Friday. Devanadera made the statement after the Philippine National Police crime laboratory released its findings that traces of human sperm were found in the genitals of five of the 21 female massacre victims. Of the five tested positive for sperm traces, only Cecille Lechonsito was found to have bruises in her genitalia - a "presumptive evidence that there was penetration" during the Ampatuan incident, according to PNP's Dr. Ruby Grace Diangson. Devanadera, however, said that investigators must first be able to pinpoint who among the perpetrators of the grisly killings sexually abused the women. “Sino ‘yung nang-rape? Kailangang ma-identify. Hindi naman puwedeng magtuturo lang tayo ng kung sinu-sino (Who actually raped the women? One must be able to identify because we can’t just point fingers at anybody)," she said. Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., the prime suspect in the Maguindanao massacre, can also be charged with rape if there would be testimonies or evidence that he had a hand in the abuse of the women, according to the Justice chief. - ANDREO C. CALONZO, GMANews.TV