Special team proposed for Cotabato rape case

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines - North Cotabato Vice Governor Manny Piñol has urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to create a special prosecution team to handle the rape complaint filed against Datu Andy Montawal, councilor of Datu Montawal town in Maguindanao. This move, according to Piñol, would erase doubts that there would be "whitewash" on the case. "We know how powerful the perpetrator is. So it's just but proper that a special team of prosecutors be created to do the investigation," said Piñol in a press statement. The Municipal Peace and Order Council of the local government of Kabacan support Piñol's recommendation. "I will personally discuss this issue with the DOJ Secretary," said Piñol. Piñol described Montawal as "very powerful" and can allegedly use his money and guns to "silence" the victim and those handling the case. The victim and her family had also sought help of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in North Cotabato and other law enforcement agencies in the province to secure them from threats and other harassments from the suspect. Montawal, in a radio interview over dxKA in Kabacan, has denied allegations hurled against him by rape victim Angelie (not her real name) and dismissed it as "baseless." "It was she who undressed in my front. Why would I do such a thing to her if she did not want it?" said Montawal. But Angelie, in her two-page affidavit, said that at gunpoint, Montawal told her to take off her clothes. Also, she said the suspect threatened to kill her if she won't cooperate. On Monday, the Justice for Angelie Movement started the "Piso-Piso Para Kay Angelie" campaign to fund the "legal battle" of the rape victim. Ruby Padilla-Sison, one of the conveners of the group, said that for Angelie to win the "battle," she must have funds to support it, aside from having strength and courage to continue. "We want justice served for Angelie, that's why we launched this campaign," said Sison. - Sun.Star