Gang-rape suspects mull charges vs arresting cops

The six men who were arrested but later cleared of involvement in the gang-rape of a volunteer nurse in Maguindanao province are planning to file charges against the police officers for alleged illegal arrest. According to a report by GMA News’ Ian Cruz on “24 Oras" on Sunday, the six were arrested on September 28 – three days after the 21-year-old “Florence" (not her real name) was raped by more or less 10 men – without warrants of arrest. On Wednesday, however, the six – Gleen Saldoa, Rustom Sangclap, Michael Candelario, Jeffrey Fernandez, Eugene Biscara and Darwin Escalona – were released after provincial prosecutors found no solid evidence linking them to the crime.

A lawyer from the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) said the warrantless arrest had no reasonable ground. "Under warrantless arrest, there should be reasonable ground, such as, the accused has just committed or is about to commit an offense, or the accused is a fugitive. The six do not fall under those classifications," said Angelito Rasalan of PAO-Maguindanao. The six men, as well as the victim’s fellow nurses, earlier claimed the police officers were drunk when they made the arrest. "What we know is the policemen were drunk when the arrest happened, so a commotion ensued. They even wanted to arrest the driver of the vehicle which the six were made to board when they were brought to the police station," Rasalan said. The six are now planning to file administrative and criminal charges against the arresting officers before the Office of the Ombudsman. GMA News was able to talk to Inspector Reny Valdesco, former chief of the South Upi police who is now assigned in Davao City. He denied the allegations that the police officers were drunk, and said the arrest underwent the proper procedure. - KBK, GMANews.TV