PHL consulate in Dubai: Pinay not raped in prison

The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai denied reports that a Filipina who is in prison for alleged immorality offenses was raped while in jail in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A press statement released by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said the Consulate was instructed to seek the release of the Filipina who is in custody at the Al-Murqqabat prison. Aside from securing her release, the Consulate officials were also ordered by the DFA to facilitate the arrest and prosecution of the two men -- an Iranian and a Pakisani -- who allegedly raped her before she was arrested. Meanwhile, according to the DFA, the Consulate representatives who visited the Filipina in jail, countered news reports that the Filipina was raped while she was in prison. The Consulate authorities reported that it was unlikely that she was raped while in prison because there are separate sections for male and female detainees. "The prison facility is also well-guarded and supervised," the DFA said. Raped twice According to the DFA, the Filipina related to the Consulate representatives how she was raped by the two suspects. The Filipina claimed that she met an Iranian at a party who reportedly offered her a ride to another party. While they were in the car, the Iranian reportedly even offered the Filipina a job. When they reached the venue of the supposed second party, no one was there except for the two of them, and the Filipina was allegedly raped. After the incident, a Pakistani posing as a police officer, reportedly arrived. The Filipina said she was asked to present her identification papers and to enter the bathroom, otherwise she will be arrested. She said in the bathroom, she was raped for a second time. She added that her money, phone and camera were taken from her, and she was told that she can recover them at the Al-Murqqabat police station. Immorality charges When she arrived there, police authorities took her into custody on "immorality charges." These charges are slapped on women if they are caught in the company of adult male individual/s who are not her husband or relative, which is strictly prohibited in the UAE. The Filipina sought assistance from a friend who is with the local Criminal Investigation Division police there, who assisted in identifying and apprehending the Pakistani suspect. The suspect is currently in jail on rape charges, while the Iranian suspect is being sought by authorities. - VVP, GMA News