PUP officials may be held liable for alleged gang rape - DepEd

MANILA, Philippines - Officials of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) may be held liable for the alleged gang rape that occurred inside campus last June 25, the Department of Education (DepEd) said on Friday. A report over radio dzXL said according to Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Deputy Executive Director Julito Vitriolo, university officials may be held accountable if it is proven that security inside the university was lacking and poor. Vitriolo said the incident should serve as a wakeup call for other educational institutions to tighten up security and ensure the safety of its students. The official also called on the Department of Budget and Management to increase the budget for state colleges and universities so they can afford to hire enough security guards. The PUP administration earlier admitted that there are only 45 security guards manning the 10-hectare campus, said the report. A 16-year-old student was allegedly raped by three male students with ages ranging from 15 to 16 last June 25 in a vacant room inside the campus around 6 p.m. According to the Women’s Desk of the Sta. Mesa Police Department, the victim said she was raped after the initiation rites of a non-accredited organization where she was made to drink liquor. The victim said she joined the organization after being invited by a fellow female student. Authorities suspect that the victim was also drugged and are still awaiting the results of her drug test. Four suspects in the alleged gang rape, all minors, had been arrested by authorities. The four suspects - who invoked their right to remain silent - were later turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The four suspects underwent inquest proceedings on Thursday, where the fiscal prosecutor ordered the turnover of the four students – the three male students and the alleged female accomplice – to the Manila Youth Reception Center. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV