PSG man accused of molesting girl to remain in police custody

(Updated 9:36 p.m.) A member of the elite Presidential Security Group accused of molesting a 15-year-old girl inside the PSG barracks at the Malacañang compound this week will remain in the custody of the Manila Police District for now. Staff Sgt. Walter Candelaria had turned himself in to the MPD Tuesday afternoon to clear his name in the brewing scandal, radio dzBB reported Wednesday. With him in MPD custody is village chairman Angelo Murillo, who the girl accused of bringing her to Candelaria and his companions. This developed as the teenager is in the protective custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, after her parents voiced fears of a whitewash of the case. Earlier, the girl filed an acts of lasciviousness complaint against Candelaria, according to a report on GMA News' "24 Oras" Wednesday night. Murillo, meanwhile, was accused of violating the Anti-Trafficking of Persons Act, a radio dzRH report said. Candelaria, in the "24 Oras" report, denied the accusation. "Kusa akong sumuko para linisin pangalan ko kasi yung ibinibintang sa akin 'di ko naman talaga ginawa," he said. Administrative sanctions On Tuesday afternoon, investigators from the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 8 fetched Candelaria from the PSG barracks at Malacañang compound. Candelaria also faces administrative sanctions for violating a rule barring unauthorized persons from entering the PSG barracks. The dzBB report said the investigators are still looking for Candelaria’s two companions, who they believe are civilians. In her complaint, the teenager said she was brought to the barangay hall in San Miguel by Murillo and his men for allegedly violating a curfew on minors. She claimed Murillo later told her that he was going to introduce her to people from whom she could earn money. The girl said the men allegedly forced her into a vehicle and took her to the PSG barracks. Politically motivated? But Murillo claimed the allegation against him was politically motivated. For his part, Manila Police District head Chief Superintendent Roberto Rongavilla said the PSG has been fully cooperating in the investigation so far. Rongavilla said the PSG’s only request was that the rights of the accused be respected. "Okay naman ang kanilang cooperation, dahil di naman kinukunsinti ng PSG ang kasamahan kung nagkasala. Pakiusap nila (respetuhin) ang human rights ng akusado at yan ang ating pinagbigyan," he said in an interview on dwIZ radio Wednesday. On Tuesday, PSG commander Col. Ramon Dizon said he will give the MPD a free hand on the matter. "It’s under MPD but we will cooperate with them. I don’t want also to involve myself in the investigation and to give MPD a free hand," Dizon said. — RSJ, GMA News