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DSWD draws up therapy for girl 'molested' by PSG man


The Department of Social Welfare and Development is developing a therapy for a teenage girl allegedly molested by a member of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) in Manila last month. DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman said the DSWD is also providing legal support for the minor after consulting the girl's family and the women's group Gabriela. “We assure everyone that we are determined to pursue justice for the minor from all those who victimized her," Soliman said in a news release posted on Tuesday on the DSWD website. "DSWD is developing a therapy that will first help the victim be whole again before she is exposed to the different influences in her young life," it said. The DSWD said its primary role is "to protect the victim from all possible pressures coming from persons of authority." The girl, 15, is now under the protective custody of the DSWD while the suspect is under police custody. In June, a member of the elite PSG was accused of molesting the girl inside the PSG barracks at the Malacañang compound in Manila. In her complaint, the teenager said she was brought to the barangay hall in San Miguel, Manila by village chairman Angelo Murillo and his men for allegedly violating a curfew on minors. The girl alleged that Murillo later told her that he was going to introduce her to people from whom she could earn money. She said the men allegedly forced her into a vehicle and took her to the PSG barracks. The girl accused PSG Staff Sgt. Walter Candelaria of molesting her. Candelaria, however, denied the accusation. "Kusa akong sumuko para linisin pangalan ko kasi yung ibinibintang sa akin 'di ko naman talaga ginawa," he said. Candelaria turned himself in to the Manila Police District to clear his name in the brewing scandal. He is not under police custody together with Murillo, who claimed the allegation against him was politically motivated. - VVP, GMA News

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