School where alleged rape occurred opens probe

CEBU, Philippines - The university where a third year medical technology student was allegedly gang-raped is now investigating the guards who were on-duty at the time of the incident.

A source who requested anonymity told The FREEMAN that a representative from the school went to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 7 to inform the agency about the school’s investigation.

The representative also clarified that the school does not allow students within the campus after classes and security guards patrol the school grounds to ensure that this policy is implemented. The university is now augmenting its security.

Contrary to reports, the representative clarified that the place where the alleged incident happen is not a bunkhouse, but one of the school’s storage rooms.

Rape charges have already been filed before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office against one Dexter Silangan Paalisbo, 24. He was arrested by the CIDG during a hot pursuit operation a few hours after the alleged incident. Two other suspects remain at large.

The 22-year-old victim from Barangay Apas was reportedly waiting for her friend at the gate of her school past midnight on October 15, 2011 when her boyfriend invited her to Paalisbo’s birthday celebration.

The celebration was held inside the school campus where the suspects work as student guards. The victim said she refused at first but later joined her boyfriend.

The victim said she was offered to drink until she got drunk. When her boyfriend reportedly noticed that she was a bit drunk, he allegedly brought her inside Paalisbo’s bunkhouse where they slept together. The victim awakened later when she reportedly felt something was being inserted into her private part.

She immediately stood up and alarmed her boyfriend, which prompted the suspects to flee the room. She immediately reported the incident to his father who is a Navy Officer who, in turn, reported the incident to CIDG. (FREEMAN)