De Lima to head task force on Florence gang-rape

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima is now personally attending to the case of rape victim “Florence" (not her real name), following instructions from President Benigno Aquino III to focus on the gang-rape and mauling of the volunteer nurse in Maguindanao on September 25. The victim was found naked and unconscious in a cornfield within the compound of the South Upi municipal hospital. She later told authorities that some ten men had abducted and raped her while she was on her way to visit a midwife, leaving her half-paralyzed from head injuries sustained during the incident. De Lima will be heading a case conference of the police officers and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) members who comprise Task Force Florence, according to a report by Ian Cruz aired on GMA News’ “24 Oras" newscast. The justice secretary arrived on Friday in Cotabato City for a meeting with TF Florence, prosecutors, and representatives of the Philippine Nurses Association, to follow up various angles of the case — including reports that an "influential" person was involved in the gang-rape. 'Don't zero in on Fulgencio' South Upi Vice-Mayor Jordan Ibrahim was among those earlier called in for questioning about the incident by the Criminal Investigation and Detention Group (CIDG). Ibrahim’s camp has denied that he had any part in the rape. Another rape suspect, Melchor Fulgencio — a former member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) who now works for a Korean firm in Mindanao — has already admitted to the crime. De Lima said, however, that the investigation should not end with Fulgencio’s confession. When he turned himself in, Fulgencio disputed Florence’s claim that around ten men were involved in the gang rape, saying instead that he was one of “only two men" who committed the crime. "They should not zero in on Fulgencio," said De Lima. “The case cannot yet be considered as solved, [because we are still waiting for the] result [of the] forensic examination." She also said that it was important to ascertain the identity of Fulgencio's accomplice, so far identified only as "Edwin," and to find out who Florence was speaking to on the phone right before the incident, because that person might provide a possible lead. The case would only be closed when "the rape victim would be the one to identify kung sino talaga 'yung perpetrators (who the perpetrators really are)," Senior Superintendent Federico Castro, TF Florence commander, told GMA News’ Ian Cruz. The six men initially arrested as suspects in the crime are still detained, although based on the testimony of Fulgencio, they were not involved in the gang rape of Florence, De Lima said. "We are going to decide very very soon on what to do with the six other accused... Fulgencio totally does not include these six accused [in his testimony]," De Lima said. De Lima also plans to go to Davao City to visit the victim, 24 Oras reported Continuing protests Right on arrival in Cotabato city, De Lima was met at the airport by various groups of nurses and health workers calling for justice for Florence, wearing black armbands and carrying placards condemning the crime.
"Kindly help the nurses of the Philippines so that the next time, there will be no brutal act like this to happen to nurses assigned to rural areas," said Norma Reyes of the Cotabato chapter of the National League of Philippine Government Nurses. En route to her hotel, De Lima's vehicle was also met by uniformed nurses from the Notre Dame University Hospital and the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center, who lined the street, echoing the calls of the protesters at the tarmac. In a separate protest action in Manila, meanwhile, over a hundred nurses formed a human chain in front of the PNA office to express their support for Florence. PNA President Teresita Barcelo cautioned that in the haste to secure justice, they should not get the wrong person. "Baka mamaya (It could turn out) we just get fall guys, and we are not happy with that," she said.—Larissa Mae Suarez/JV, GMANews.TV