Palace asked to punish PSG man in 'sex abuse' case

Senator Pia Cayetano has asked Malacañang to find and punish those behind the alleged molestation of a 15-year-old girl inside the Presidential Security Group (PSG) barracks at the Palace compound earlier this week. "Malacañang should closely monitor this case. It should accord full protection to the victim, who's a minor, and ensure that all the perpetrators are unmasked and put behind bars," Cayetano said in a statement released Thursday. Cayetano, who is also chairperson of the Senate committee on youth, women, and family relations, issued the statement after a girl filed a complaint of acts of lasciviousness against PSG Staff Sgt. Walter Candelaria, who supposedly molested her. "If in fact, rape was committed by the presidential guard right inside the PSG barracks, then this is very disturbing because government personnel have a sworn duty to serve the people at all times," she said. Cayetano said the case also underscores the urgency to promote human rights education and gender sensitivity awareness in the government, including among uniformed personnel. According to reports, the victim was arrested for vagrancy Tuesday dawn and that some barangay officials allegedly let the PSG take custody of the girl. Candelaria is currently in the custody of the Manila Police District with village chairman Angelo Murillo, who the girl accused of bringing her to Candelaria and his companions. Candelaria, however, said he surrendered himself to clear his name. The PSG, meanwhile, is conducting its own probe into the matter. Col. Ramon Mateo Dizon, PSG commander, said they will also cooperate with the MPD's investigation. — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ, GMA News