PUP in a security bind after alleged campus gang rape

MANILA, Philippines - The state-run Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) is exploring ways to beef up its security following an alleged incident of gang-rape inside the premises of its campus in Manila last June. In a radio interview, PUP president Dante Guevarra said they have no extra funds to hire more guards, and may resort to asking police to help secure school premises which sprawls 10 hectares. "Kami magdadagdag ng gwardya kahit kulang kami sa budget. Ang PUP 10 hectares and 600 classrooms kalat-kalat yan (We will have to hire more guards even if we don't have a budget for it. Still, the PUP campus is 10 hectares big, and has 600 classrooms scattered around the area)," Guevarra said in an interview on dzXL radio. At any given time the PUP has 30,000 students, he added. Guevarra also said they are intending to make representations with the Manila Police District to help the security guards by conducting preventive patrols in the campus. The official said another priority of the PUP administration is to calm parents of students and assure them that the school authorities are trying to address the security issue. For his part, MPD Station 8 head Superintendent Jaime Tiu said that while they are willing to help secure the university, the deployment of police forces inside the university had previously been met with strong opposition from students. "Ang presence sa loob nire-reject ng estudyante, di kami makakapasok basta-basta (The students usually reject police presence, so we cannot just go in just anytime)," Guevarra said. Tiu said they have so far picked up for questioning four suspects in the alleged gang rape, all minors. The four - aged 15 to 16 including three males and one female - are accused of taking part in the rape of a 16-year-old freshman inside the campus premises late June. The police official said the four have been turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). He said the four invoked their right to remain silent. Tiu said the MPD even called in lawyers from the Public Attorney's Office to assist the four suspects. On the other hand, Tiu said another worry for them is that a video of the incident may have been taken, and may be circulated through cell phones. "Ang panawagan ko sa PUP students (My appeal to PUP students is) if they know something about it please help the victim," Tiu said. - GMANews.TV