Pampanga kidnap-rape incidents linked to 'bonnet boys'

The local government of Pampanga is alarmed over several kidnap-rape incidentsin Mexico, Pampanga by members of the so-called bonnet boys, according to the report of GMA News' Steve Dailisan on "24 Oras."

One of the victims, a 14 year-old female, was accompanied by her mother when she went to the Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention Network (CAPIN) office in Mexico, Pampanga on Wednesday.

The girl said she was the first among four victims of male suspects who cover their faces by wearing bonnets over their head.

She was kidnapped and raped three times by the suspects. These incidents occurred in the daytime as she stepped out of her school. She was then brought to an isolated place and gang-raped.

The first kidnap-rape incident occurred in October 2015 and the last incident was in November last year.

She recognized one of the suspects after his bonnet was removed from his face.

CAPIN head Josie Soliman said the medico legal report showed that the victim was sexually abused.

"Wala naman po report na sinasaktan sila. Iyon lang po, sexually abused po yung mga bata. Sa medico legal nila lumalabas na may nangyari talaga sa mga bata," Soliman said.

The victim has since stopped going to school. She said that it took her some time before filing a case police because she was afraid.

In an interview with GMA News, accompanied by her mother and social worker, she said, "Hindi po nawawala sa akin yung pagkatakot, baka isang araw baka di na kami tuluyang ibalik dito. Inaano na nga po ako ni mama at ni papa, nililibang po nila ako para di ko na maisip yun."

The victim's mother called on the perpetrators of the crime to surrender to the police.

"Makonsensya kayo. Yung ginawa niyo sana maisip niyo na hindi tama yan. Kasi di naman kayo patutulugin ng Diyos dahil kakarmahin din kayo," she said.

The Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) said a 15-year-old girl related a similar story. She was also a victim of the bonnet boys and that the rape incident happened in the same area last January and February 2017.

Another 35 year-old female victim was also reported to social workers last February 2017.

Last month, the report said the suspects attempted to abduct a nine-year-old boy but he was able to escape.

CAPIN's Soliman expressed alarm over the incidents and has reminded parents to ensure the safety of their children outdoors.

"Dito po sila nagre-report pero wala po tayong magawa dahil unidentified po sila. Ang mga anak natin na mga minors, kung pwede po sana pagingatan po natin sila, gawan po natin ng paraan na sila po ay hindi na sila yung mga susunod na victims," she said.

Authorities have yet to identify the perpetrators of the crime.

Meanwhile, the Mexico PNP said they arrested a minor suspect, who was brought to the social welfare office.

"Meron po tayong suspect na na-identify. But yun nga ang problema natin ay minor. Pangalawa nag-decline siya magsalita, ayaw niyang sabihin. So hindi po natin pwedeng pilitin," said Mexico PNP chief Supt. Wilfredo Paulo.

"Kukunin nila ang biktima, ire-rape nila, iiwan nila, ganon lang. Hindi naman nila pinapatay, hindi nila sinasaktan,"  he added.

The rape victims are now undergoing counseling sessions at the social welfare office.

Authorities will strengthen security measures in barangays by installing CCTV cameras. — Joseph Tristan Roxas/BAP, GMA News