Nurses wear black armbands to protest rape of colleague in Maguindanao

Nurses in Metro Manila and several provinces started wearing black armbands and ribbons Monday to demand justice for one of their colleagues who was allegedly gang-raped in Maguindanao last month. Philippine Nurses Association president Dr. Teresita Barcelo vowed to keep close tabs on the investigation, amid reports that some of the perpetrators are scions of influential families. "There are now more than 20 hospitals (nationwide) that said they will do the armband- (and ribbon-) wearing. Ang members namin mga 80,000 at meron kaming 92 chapters, isa sa Cotabato (More than 20 hospitals nationwide have committed to have their nurses wear armbands and ribbons. Our group has 80,000 members and 92 chapters, including one in Cotabato)," Barcelo said in an interview on dwIZ radio Monday. In Metro Manila, she said nurses in hospitals like the Philippine General Hospital and Ospital ng Maynila had pledged to wear the black armbands and ribbons. Provinces and cities where nurses had made similar commitments include Baguio City, Ifugao, Bicol, and the Davao Medical Center, she said.

Barcelo said the volunteer nurse who was gang-raped and reportedly paralyzed due to head injuries is part of the Arroyo government’s Nurses Assigned to Rural Service (NARS) program. She said the program was still being in effect in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) because it was implemented late there. Citing information reaching her, Barcelo said there may be "more than" at least six perpetrators. "Ang sabi anim ang nag-gang-rape pero ang sabi-sabi di ko ma-confirm, more than that. Tinututukan namin ito, dahil ayaw namin [na ang nangyari sa kanya] magaya [pa sa] iba (Reports said six were behind the gang-rape but information reaching us said there could be more. We are keeping tabs on this case. We do not want other nurses to fall victim to such a crime)," she said. Barcelo said they hope the perpetrators will be punished, even if they are from prominent families. "They intended to kill her, di nila akala mabubuhay pa (They intended to kill her but never expected her to survive)," she said. Preserve evidence Barcelo called on investigators to prioritize the preservation of evidence, saying they expect a long-drawn legal battle especially if the perpetrators are from influential clans. "Ang worry namin is preservation of evidence. Magkakaroon ng long-drawn legal battle. Ang importante, preservation of evidence and the health and status of co-nurse (Our worry is the preservation of evidence. We expect a long-drawn legal battle. The important thing is the preservation of evidence and the health and status of our co-nurse)," she said. Bank account set up Meanwhile, Barcelo appealed to prospective donors to help the nurse through the bank account they set up for her. Donors can send their donations to Banco de Oro Paco Branch (Current Account 1658012348), and fax their bank slips with their name to the PNA at 5251596 for an acknowledgment receipt. Inquiries can be made to the PNA at 5361899 and 4004430, she said. — RSJ, GMANews.TV