By RIA FERNANDEZ
The chief of Manila Police District (MPD) called Friday on the three remaining suspects in the alleged gang-rape of a 16-year-old girl in Tondo, Manila, to surrender before a warrant of arrest is issued against them.
“Habang maaga sumurrender na kayo kasi pag lumabas ang warrant n’yo, ililibing ko kayo ng buhay,” MPD director Chief Supt. Vicente Danao Jr. warned, referring to the three other rape suspects who remain at large.
Danao issued the call as investigators found out that the suspects who drugged and raped the girl during a drinking spree are drug users.
The MPD chief has ordered to subject the four arrested suspects to a drug test to verify.
“So makikita mo ang effect ng illegal drugs, it makes you crazy,” he said.
He vowed to put the suspects in their rightful place if they would not stop their criminal activity.
“Pag ‘di [kayo] tumigil may kalalagyan kayo lalo kung habitual e di na maganda ‘yan,” he added.
He also warned others who are planning to do the same.
“You prepare kung saan kayo ililibing,” Danao continued.
On Wednesday, police retrieved a group chat where the suspects laughed at the gang rape and posted photos of the private parts of the victim following the arrest of the fourth suspect on Wednesday. Two videos of the alleged rape were also recovered.
MPD Station 1 commander Police Supt. Reynaldo Magdaluyo expressed belief that the seven-man gang called “Tondo F***boys” also victimized other girls. Thus, he encouraged possible victims to come forward and file cases against them.
The MPD director also has a message to parents and children, especially the teenagers, to prevent similar incident from happening again.
“Sana, this will serve as lesson na ‘wag basta basta magtitiwala,” Danao said.
“Sana maging cautious sa actions para hindi na ito maulit kasi we can avoid it, pero we are not blaming the victim,” he added.