By KATE JAVIER
Seven men, including two minors, were arrested Friday for allegedly robbing and raping a 19-year-old working student in Caloocan City.
The suspects, four of them cousins, were picked up separately at 6 a.m., five hours after dragging Mich (not her real name) into a deserted parking lot in Barangay 28, Dagat-Dagatan.
Mich said she was on her way home when the suspects blocked her path at around 1 a.m. at the corner of Purok 1 and Kawal Street.
Armed with bladed weapons, the suspects allegedly took her bag containing her mobile phone, P3,000 cash and other valuables and pulled her beside a parked van where they took turns raping the victim.
Mich said the suspects left her at 5 a.m., allowing her to go home and told her mother what happened.
They immediately went to the barangay hall to report the incident.
Acting swiftly, barangay officials rounded up the suspects and brought them to the Caloocan police station.
Barangay chairman Egay Galgana described the suspects as alleged drug users.
Police identified the suspects as Bobby Cabuang, Damian Cabuang, Donut Cabuang, Sherwin Cabuang, all cousins; and Ryan Reyes.
The unnamed minors are 16 and 17 years old. They were turned over to the Caloocan City Social Welfare and Development.
The other five suspects were charged with rape and robbery Friday night.