Arroyo orders PNP to tackle rape-slay case in Antique soonest

MANILA, Philippines – Press Secretary Cerge Remonde on Thursday said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo wants to bring to justice the perpetrators of the rape-slay of a 16-year-old girl in Antique province. In a text message to reporters, Remonde said President Arroyo directed Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Jesus Verzosa to follow up on the case, crack the police’s whip on those responsible for the crime, and send them behind bars. “The President has already personally instructed Gen. Versoza to attend to the case with dispatch. The perpetrator or perpetrators must be put behind bars and suffer the consequences of their evil deeds," Remonde said. Reports earlier said that at least three men supposedly gang raped and subsequently killed the victim in San Jose town, Antique on January 31. The National Bureau of Investigation had earlier confirmed that the victim was raped but Remonde said “the PNP is still awaiting the autopsy report from the NBI." Authorities are holding one of the suspects, GMA Newscast “24 Oras" reported Wednesday. The television report said the SIM card of the victim’s cellular phone was found in the suspect’s possession. In his text message, Remonde said that if the reported details of the crime are proven true, “this could be one of the most dreadful cases in memory - unthinkable, to say the least." Remonde added that President Arroyo also extended her sympathy to the victim’s family and “promised everything will be done to alleviate their sufferings and bring the culprits to justice." - Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV