Two members of the Highway Patrol Group-SOCCSKSARGEN (HPG-12) are facing charges for allegedly raping two minor female students in General Santos City.

HPG-12 confirmed that the two suspects, a police master sergeant and a police senior master sergeant, have been relieved from their posts and placed under restrictive custody.

“The criminal case already filed by this station and then administrative aspect already endorsed by my office to the IAS (Internal Affairs Service) and subsequently na forward napud nato ang kopya sa information sa HPG,” HPG-12 Chief, Col. Benito Recopuerto, said.

According to Golden State College, the suspects allegedly stopped the victims, both 17 years old, for traffic violations while they were riding a motorcycle during an operation in Barangay Calumpang around two weeks ago.

However, the victims were allegedly taken to another location where they were allegedly raped.

“Doon sila hinuli sa Calumpang tapos dinala sa impounding area… para ipakuha daw yung motor at magbayad ng multa. Binigyan sila ng receipt pero hindi naman sila nagbayad,” Golden State College Vice President for Academic Affairs, Josie Yap, said.

The victims’ families have filed a formal complaint against the suspects.

“May nanliligaw ng areglo pero ang pamilya naman ay firm na i-deretso ang kaso at hindi sila magpapa-areglo. Nagsignify na rin ng affidavit. Nanumpa na rin sila sa fiscal,” Yap added.

The victims are undergoing counseling and debriefing. They continue to attend school through distance learning.

Meanwhile, hundreds of students held a prayer rally at the Freedom Park to demand for justice.

They carried placards with messages ‘Rape is a crime, not a shame,’ ‘Justice must be served,’ and ‘Protect the victims, not rapists.’

GMA Regional TV One Mindanao is reaching out to the suspects and victims’ families for a statement, as of this writing.