Kris visits rape victim ‘Florence,’ vows help in seeking justice

TV host/actress Kris Aquino has promised assistance in bringing justice to “Florence," the 21-year-old volunteer nurse who was gang-raped and nearly killed n Maguindanao province last September. According to an exclusive report in GMA News’ “24 Oras," Kris flew to Davao on Sunday night to visit Florence at the Southern Philippines Medical Center. She reportedly promised to remind her brother, President Benigno Aquino III, to pay special attention to Florence’s case. Kris also handed her advance gift to Florence, who will celebrate her birthday on Wednesday: a copy of the latest edition of a magazine that features her on the cover, and the soon to be released book about the Aquino family. Kris said she decided to pay Florence a visit after learning that she is an avid fan, and also to check on her condition. She was accompanied by Florence’s doctors and former Ms. Universe Margie Moran, who is a native of Davao.

During the visit, Kris spent about an hour talking to Florence’s mother who, through the actress, asked President Aquino to ensure justice for what happened to her daughter, as well as security for her family, the TV report said. "Personal kong ipapaalala sa kapatid ko, most especially because apat kaming babae na kapatid niya, so siguro naman ‘yung pagmamalasakit ng isang kuya, maibibigay naman ni Noy kay Florence," Kris vowed. (I will personally remind my brother about her case, most especially since he has four sisters, I think he’ll give Florence the affection of a brother.) Road to recovery Meanwhile, Florence’s doctors told GMA News that her condition is gradually improving. They said she wrote on a piece of paper her short message of gratitude to groups and individuals who supported her throughout her ordeal. "Maraming salamat. Thank you po sa lahat ng tulong ninyo (Thank you all for your help)," Florence’s message read. "Ngayon (now) she can walk and she can even talk. She can even remember and recognize people," said Hospital official Dr. Leopoldo Vega. Small details of what she went through are also starting to come back to her, the doctor added. "Alam niya (kung ano ang nangyari). The thing is I don’t think she can remember events. May idea siya on what happened the night before noong nasa videoke siya. May lapse of memory lang," said Vega. (She knows what happened. The thing is I don’t think she can remember events. She has an idea on what happened the night before, when she was in a videoke. There’s only lapse of memory.) He also said it is still unlikely that Florence is already able to identify who raped her, as she is still showing signs of selective memory loss. - KBK, GMANews.TV