Witness protection eyed for Japanese "rape" victim

CEBU, Philippines - The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group–7 is now studying the possibility of placing one of the two Japanese woman who accused two Koreans of raping them last week under the witness protection program.

CIDG-7 chief Senior Supt. Jose Pante said he is consulting with their legal counsel whether or not the victim is eligible for witness protection since she is a foreigner.

“We are trying our best to secure the witness. We hope for her welfare,” he said.

Pante assured they have brought the victim to a safehouse to protect her from any threat.

This was after they received reports that two unidentified women recently went looking for the victim in her house.

After finishing her sworn statement, the other alleged rape victim returned to Japan last Monday.

CIDG-7 legal counsel Innocencio Dela Cerna has filed a motion for reinvestigation after the Lapu-Lapu City prosecutors’ office downgraded the rape charges against one of the suspects, Jong Duk Lee, to sexual assault.

Lee’s bail was set at P120,000.

Both Lee and his alleged accomplice, Carl Park, 21, denied the rape allegations.

CIDG-7 has filed a motion for a hold-departure order before Branch 54 of the Regional Trial Court in Lapu-Lapu City. The hearing is set for July 6.

“Once makalabas na yan (Lee), for sure hindi na yan babalik sa atin. At useless din ang filing natin ng kaso,” Pante said. He hopes that the hold departure order will be released early next week.

Results from the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center Pink Room revealed that sperm was found in the private parts of the 21-year-old victim.

The other victim, however, had not traces of sperm on hers. (FREEMAN)