Lawmaker wants probe into nurse's rape in Maguindanao

Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Tañada III filed House Resolution 643 seeking a probe into the alleged rape of a volunteer nurse in Maguindanao in September. Tañada wants the House committees on Labor and Employment and Women to conduct a joint inquiry into the alleged rape of nurse “Florence" (not her real name), who marked her 22nd birthday at a Davao hospital on Wednesday. The lawmaker said the probe aims to recommend measures to protect the safety and welfare of volunteer nurses and health workers, especially in rural areas. Challenge to Maguindanao exec Meanwhile, Senator Francis Escudero on Thursday challenged Jordan Ibrahim, the Vice-Mayor of South Upi, Maguindanao to submit himself to forensic testing as part of the investigation into the nurse's rape. "Kung talagang wala siyang kasalanan para sa akin, oportunidad ito para mapatunayan nya na siya ay inosente sa mga paratang (If he really is innocent, this is his opportunity to prove it) Do a DNA test," Escudero said during a weekly forum at the Senate on Thursday. He issued a statement after visiting Florence at the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City on her 22nd birthday on Wednesday. “This visit is two-pronged, personal to at least offer comfort and happiness on her birthday and professional as justice chairman, to assure her that her government is listening to her and is moving to serve her justice," he said. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) earlier asked Ibrahim to submit himself to forensic testing. Not formally named as a suspect Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Ibrahim previously agreed to have his samples taken but his lawyer reportedly discouraged him from doing so because vice-mayor was not yet formally named as a suspect. Charges of rape and frustrated murder have been filed against a " target="_blank" >former militiaman and a still unidentified suspect before the Cotabato Regional Trial Court. De Lima said NBI findings showed that Florence may not have been gang-raped on September 26 because a DNA test conducted on the victim only yielded "one DNA profile" of a still unknown rapist. Compelling Ibrahim to take the test Escudero said the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) should compel Ibrahim to partake in the test and help resolve the case. "Inaantabayanan ko pa rin ang aksyon kung saka-sakali ng DILG dito (I am still waiting for the action of the DILG)," he said. "Dapat gamitin ng Malacanang ang poder nito na puwersahin ang kanialng mga opisyal na sumunod sa batas at linisin ang pangalan nila (Malacanang should also ask its officials to follow the law and clear their name)," he added. He likewise chided the NBI and the Department of Justice (DOJ) for their alleged failure to pinpoint the perpetrators right away. "I am looking forward that we can put together a road map to hasten results not only for this particular case but for other cases as well that shout for justice," he said. Meanwhile, Escudero said is looking into crafting at a legislative measure that would give more protection to government and private volunteers. - VVP, GMANews.TV