Nurses march to Mendiola, seek justice for gang-rape victim

A day after wearing black armbands and ribbons to protest the gang-rape of a fellow nurse in Maguindanao last month, nurses on Tuesday marched to Mendiola, near Malacañang Palace, to demand justice for the victim. Radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported that the nurses led by the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) started the "Walk for Justice" from its office in Malate, Manila early morning. More than 100 nurses wearing white uniforms and black armbands showed up at the PNA office to take part in the march. The nurses arrived near Mendiola Bridge at about 9 a.m. Placards and streamers brought by the marchers condemned the gang-rape of their colleague. On Monday afternoon, PNA executive director Maristela Abenojar said the march rally would demand immediate and thorough investigations by the Labor Department and even Congress on the case. "Sana mabilisan ang magiging imbestigasyon sa karumal-dumal na panggagahasa sa aming kasamahan (We hope there will be a speedy investigation of this heinous crime)," she dzBB radio in an interview. Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police said it is ready to secure nurses nationwide. Radio dzBB's Benjie Liwanag Jr. reported that PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. gave the assurance after nurses sought security. On Monday, nurses in several hospitals started wearing black armbands and ribbons to demand justice for the volunteer nurse who was gang-raped in Maguindanao. The PNA has also set up a bank account for the victim and her family. [See story: Nurses wear black armbands to protest rape of colleague in Maguindanao] Earlier, PNA president Dr. Teresita Barcelo vowed her group would keep close tabs on the investigation of the incident, amid reports the perpetrators were from influential families. — LBG, GMANews.TV