Raps vs. 6 suspects dropped in Florence gang-rape

Six suspects in the gang-rape of a volunteer nurse in Maguindanao were freed on Wednesday after provincial prosecutors found no solid evidence linking them to the crime. In a 10-page resolution released Wednesday, the Maguindanao prosecutor’s office said there is “no probable cause" to charge the six suspects with rape after a review of testimonies from witnesses. Cleared from the crime were Glenn Saldoa, Rustom Sangclap, Michael Candelario, Jeffrey Fernandez, Eugene Biscara and Darwin Escalona. Prosecutor Cairoden Pangunotan, who wrote the resolution, however said that the six men can still be charged with rape if new evidence, such as the result of the forensic examinations, establishes their involvement in the incident. “Wala pang double jeopardy sa preliminary investigation kasi wala pang kaso na naisasampa sa korte," Pangunotan said on Wednesday in an interview aired over GMA News’ “24 Oras." (Double jeopardy is no issue during preliminary investigation because no case has been filed in court yet.)
The office likewise said the resolution can still be appealed. "Of course they can file a motion for reconsideration directly to our office. After we rule on their motion for reconsideration, they can file a petition for review before the office of the Secretary of Justice," said Akilali Balt, Maguindanao provincial prosecutor. Not surprised The counsel for the six suspects however said that he “expected" the charges to be dropped against his clients, since no solid evidence linking them to the crime was established from the very start. “Hindi naman surprising kasi we expected na ganoon talaga. From the start, wala namang ebidensya linking the six to the crime," lawyer Angelito Rasalan of the Public Attorney’s Office said in a separate television interview on Wednesday. (It wasn’t surprising since we expected it would turn out that way. From the start, there was no evidence linking the six to the crime.) It was also Rasalan who informed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao of the court resolution, which led to the suspects’ release. The six men were earlier arrested by local police after witnesses reportedly saw them with the rape victim “Florence" (not her real name) in a videoke bar before she was allegedly gang-raped on September 25. (See: Suspects in gang rape of nurse in Maguindanao nabbed) The six men were also reportedly among those who found the volunteer nurse naked and unconscious in a cornfield and brought her to the hospital, while one of them reported the incident to the local police. The six men and their parents meanwhile rejoiced upon learning of the prosecutor’s resolution. "Sobrang saya namin kasi mula pa nang dinala sila dito, ang sakripisyo ng mga anak namin sa loob, ang sakripisyo rin namin, pawa kaming naghirap," said Adromeda Biscarra, mother of one of the six men. (We are very happy because we went through a lot of suffering and sacrifices since our sons were brought here.) "Masaya rin kami kasi nagbunga din ang sakripisyo namin na pagsuporta sa mga bata mula sa South Upi, sa police station, hanggang dito sa Cotabato," added Imelda Sanglap, also the mother of one six men. (We are happy because are sacrifices of supporting our children, since they were brought to the South Upi police station until they were transferred to Cotabato, have finally paid off.) Meanwhile, gang-rape victim Florence is currently under close watch at a hospital in Davao City, where she is set to undergo a delicate medical procedure for severe head injuries that have rendered the right half of her body paralyzed. (See: Rape victim Florence undergoes ‘spiritual healing’) Ex-CAFGU to be charged The Maguindanao prosecutor’s office, meanwhile, recommended the filing of charges against a former militiaman who earlier admitted to taking part in the gang-rape of the volunteer nurse. (See: Ex-CAFGU suspect says 'only 2 men' raped nurse) Suspect Melchor Fulgencio will be charged with rape with frustrated homicide on Thursday, although he said last Tuesday that he was only “forced" to admit perpetrating the crime because his neighbors tortured him into confession. (See: Ex-CAFGU recants confession in 'Florence' rape case) Fulgencio’s alleged accomplice, identified only as “Edwin," will also face the same raps, according to the television report. In his earlier statement, Fulgencio said it was “Edwin" who attacked the victim and dragged her to a bushy area before they took turns in sexually abusing her. Fulgencio did not link the six other suspects to the crime. Local police are still tracing the whereabouts of the other suspect, who is reported to have fled to Surigao del Norte.—With Andreo C. Calonzo, Jerrie M. Abella/JV, GMANews.TV