Persona non grata Panamanian claims he and Pamela had consensual sex

Blacklisted Panamanian national Erick Schks Bairnals released Friday a signed denial statement–backed by video from closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage–claiming that he and his accuser, Pamela (not her real name), had consensual sex.   “I never forced or coerced her to come with me to my place or spend the night with me to have sex,” said Schks, a technical officer of the Panama Maritime Authority, in his signed statement.   Last Friday, May 11, Schks left the country and when he had departed the Department of Foreign Affairs declared the rape suspect a persona non grata (unwelcome person) in the Philippines. The DFA had earlier said that Schks had diplomatic immunity and could not be held criminally liable for the alleged rape of Pamela.   “She did not refuse nor said NO instead she willingly made her way to my bedroom with me,” the Panamanian national said in his written denial. “I am deeply saddened because I was starting to love that country and the people I have met, to leave in such a shameful way.”   Schks provided GMA News a copy of the CCTV footage of him and Pamelaon the night of April 23 on his way to his apartment unit.   In a report on GMA News’ “24 Oras,” reporter Marisol Abdurahman noted that on the night of the alleged rape, Schks and Pamela were on cordial terms as they entered the elevator leading to Schks’ apartment.   “Makikita na magaalas-onse ng gabi ng pumasok sa lobby na magkaholding hands si Schks at Pamela. Dumiretso sila sa elevator. Sa elevator sumandal si Pamela kay Schks. Hinalikan siya ni Schks pero mabilis na inalis ito ni Pamela,” Marisol Abdurahman reported.   “Pasado alas-dose ng madaling araw. Makikitang mag-isang sumakay ng elevator si Pamela na pababa ng lobby,” Abdurahman said.   Pamela did not deny the scenes captured in video, but she stands by her rape allegation.   “Siya po 'yung nagsisimula ng lahat. Hindi po ako lumalapit sa kanya. Hindi po. Walang ganun... Hindi ko naman ginusto 'yun, eh,” she said.   “Siya na nga ho ‘yung umano, siya nga po 'yung gumawa ng masama sa akin. Binaboy niya po 'yung dignidad ko. Ta’s may gana pa siyang sirain pa ako nang mabuti. Bigyan natin ng legitimacy ‘yung mga pinagsasasabi niya in court,” Pamela noted. Date rape   Pamela’s legal counsel Atty. DJ Jimenez said: “Hinalikan siya sa elevator. Ganun pa man, hindi ito nagbibigay ng lisensya para pwersahin ka o manakot ka para makipagsex sa iyo.”   The Women and Children Protection Division of the Criminal Investigation and Detention Group echoed the lawyer’s statement, adding that Pamela’s case is considered as “date rape.”   “Kahit na hindi lumaban, kahit na sabihin na bumigay na lang ng kusa dahil sa may takot, hindi tinutukan ng pansaksak o anupaman, ‘yan ang sinasabi ng batas natin, eh,” Superintendent Emma Libunao said in the ’24 Oras’ report. — Rouchelle Dinglasan/ELR/VS, GMA News