MSU-Marawi assures students are `safe’

MARAWI CITY--The management of the Mindanao State University (MSU) clarified that the minors involved in the reported gang rape incident here last Wednesday afternoon were not students of MSU campus.

Police report said the three male suspects, ages 15, 16 and 17, were arrested by the university security personnel after receiving reports of the incident that happened at the golf course area of the university.

Professor Rasid Paca, the university’s Vice President for Planning, said the alleged 16-year-old victim Angel (not her real name) and one of the suspects were actually lovers and school mates in one of the

private schools in Marawi.

“Baka hindi sila pumasok sa eskwela nila. Nandito sila sa MSU campus kasi it is a public place, pero hindi sila dito nag-aaral,” Paca said.

Superintendent Jamal Adiong, chief of Marawi City police, said one of the male suspects admitted that Angel is his girlfriend and that the group were having a drinking spree when the victim passed out.

“Hindi pa makausap ang biktima. Hinintay pa rin natin ang medico legal result kung may nangyaring rape,” Adiong said.

On June 23, a radio station employee, Jessie Cano, was shot dead near his house inside the MSU campus while on his way home from the market.

Police said remnants of the terror group Maute-ISIS may have the handiwork of the treacherous attack.

Despite of the two incidents, Paca assured that students of MSU are safe and that security measures in the campus are stable.

“Together with the university security, our military and police are in control of the peace and order here,” Paca said.