Press Release
July 4, 2008

KIKO: HOLD PUP OFFICIALS ACCOUNTABLE FOR RAPE OF FRESHMAN STUDENT, ADD MORE BUDGET FOR SUCs

Senate Majority Leader and Independent senator Kiko Pangilinan today called on authorities to hold Polytechnic University of the Philippines officials liable for the alleged gang rape that occurred within the state-run university's premises involving a female freshman in June 25.

"It is the responsibility of school officials to secure its students, and to have this heinous crime happen under PUP official's nose is enough cause to hold them accountable," Kiko said.

The alleged gang rape happened after the victim was made to drink liquor, and was possibly drugged, following an initiation rite of a non-accredited organization. Four other PUP students--3 males and 1 female, all minors--were already picked up for questioning by the police and are placed under the watch of a DSWD-accredited youth center.

"Are these officials aware of the existence of such an organization and of such activities? If they are not, then they are being complacent; if they are, then they are being negligent. Either way, these officials have failed to perform their duties that caused this crime," Kiko added.

"We join the clamor for justice for the victim and her family. We cannot tolerate such condemnable acts from these students, and they must not go scot-free from the crime they committed," Kiko added.

"We second the DepEd's call of giving additional funding to state universities and colleges (SUCs) for them to not only improve their equipment and curricula but also to beef up security. We have channeled our PDAF to some 100 SUCs for this cause and have worked on strengthening the capabilities of our state academic institutions through legislation such as the UP charter, which gives UP power to utilize its idle assets to earn and be more productive. It is time we explore more of theses measures to really improve the condition of our SUCs," Kiko ended.

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