A rape victim, who was assaulted when she was sixteen years old, has sought the help of anti-crime watchdog Citizens Crime Watch over what she claims is a “coverup” in the preliminary examination of her case.
Grace, who is now twenty-one years old, told CCW president Diego Magpantay in a handwritten letter that she feels discriminated against because “the respondent, one Julilie Patidongan, also known as ‘Dondon’” is a “known individual who is being given preferential treatment” because he is a state witness in a high-profile case to which the government is giving priority over the perpetrator’s heinous crimes. impression that the perpetrator is a protected individual. She also…
The victim’s lawyer, Atty. Glessa Janolino, added that the attitude of both the respondent’s counsel and the investigating prosecutors “leave much to be desired” in terms of “inspiring the feeling that the case is being treated impartially.
“We are constantly being given the impression that the perpetrator is a protected individual,” she said.
She added that “this is wrong, because my client feels that she is being again preyed upon and that her rights are being raped anew.”
For its part, CCW chair lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said that “our group is behind the victim all the way, and we will provide not only legal assistance, but moral support and even personal counselling.”
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