Probe of alleged rape in PSG barracks pushed

The rape complaint filed by a 15-year-old girl against a sergeant of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) and two others should be “impartially investigated,” a child welfare party-list group said.

Akap Bata party-list national secretary general Arlene Brosas said in a statement that the accusations of rape against S/Sgt. Walter Candelaria and two others “should not be passed off as a simple matter” especially since they involve a minor and implicate a member of the elite group close to President Aquino himself.

“A case of child abuse and exploitation from those who have sworn to protect the country (cannot be good),” Ms. Brosas said.

Because of this, she said President Aquino should begin “cleansing” the group of its “bad elements” should the allegations against the three be proven true. This, Brosas said, will show that Aquino has concern for Filipino children, a sector she described as having been long neglected by the present administration.

“We will be keeping an eye on this caswe….Heads must roll (should the allegations be proven true),” Brosas added.

The 15-year-old, whose name has been withheld because she is a minor, accused Candelaria and two others of sexually abusing her inside the PSG barracks at the Malacañang compound in Manila. She claimed that she had been “sold” to the suspects by Barangay 637, Zone 65, chairman Angelo Murillo.

Murillo has denied the charges. Both he and Candelaria are in the custody of the Manila police.