A former militiaman who surrendered to authorities admitted that he was one of “only two" men who recently gang-raped and mauled a volunteer nurse in Maguindanao province, police said Tuesday.
Senior Superintendent Jacinto Malinaw, regional police chief of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), identified the suspect as Melchor Fulgencio, a former member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) who now works for a Korean firm in Mindanao.
Fulgencio told police they were only two who carried out the crime against a 21-year old government nurse in South Upi town on September 25, disputing earlier reports that some five, six or up to 10 men were involved.
This page requires a higher version browser Earlier, the local police reported the arrest of six suspects in the crime, namely: Glenn Saldoa, Eugene Biscara, Ruscom Sangclap, Michael Candelario, and Jeffrey Fernandez.
In his account, Fulgencio also said he and his other accomplice — who he identified as a certain Edwin — were under the influence of alcohol when they committed the crime.
Fulgencio claimed it was Edwin who attacked “Florence" (not her real name), who at that time was walking on the road while texting. The suspect said they then dragged the victim into a bushy area and took turns in sexually abusing her.
The ex-CAFGU man said Edwin might have already fled to Surigao City in Surigao del Norte after the incident. He added that he thought about fleeing too, but was bothered by his conscience.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Deputy Director General Raul Bacalzo said that police investigators will have to verify Fulgencio's admissions.
Fear and outrage
Florence is currently under close watch at a hospital in Davao City, where she is set to undergo a delicate medical procedure for severe head injuries that have rendered the right half of her body paralyzed.
Investigators suspect that the nurse was hit by a rock on head and by a large piece of wood on her right face.
"Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa nakaka-responde sa anumang pag-uusap at most of the time ay tulog ang ating pasyente," Sulaik said in an interview with GMA's Unang Balita. (Until now, our patient has not responded to our attempts to talk to her, and is asleep most of the time.)
Sulaik said they are hoping Florence will be able to recover, adding it could greatly help investigators in solving the case.
The rape has triggered public outrage nationwide, and has brought fear to Florence's fellow government nurses assigned in the area.
Tahir Sulaik, integrated provincial health officer in Maguindanao, said the victim's colleagues have requested to be re-assigned elsewhere.
On Tuesday, some 100 nurses belonging to the Philippine Nurses Association marched to Mendiola Bridge near Malacañang to demand justice for the rape victim.
In Cotabato City, Sulaik said other nurses also staged an indignation rally condemning the rape and urging authorities to investigate the case.—JV, GMANews.TV
