MMDA: P200k for arrest of ‘Magallanes Interchange rapists’

MANILA, Philippines – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced on Monday, November 10 that it was putting up P200,000 as a reward for information that could lead to the arrest of suspected rapists targetting commuters at the Magallanes Interchange.

In a statement, MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said he would also be asking the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) to “assign additional personnel to serve as crime deterrent.”

The reward offer came after 3 rape victims – a 21-year-old woman, a 14-year-old girl, and a 19-year-old transgender woman – were abducted by 3 men and forced to board a “heavily-tinted van.” Inside, the 3 were sexually abused in separate instances.

The 21-year-old told authorities she was walking along EDSA-Magallanes when the men grabbed her and forced her into the van. She was later dumped along a highway in Malolos Bulacan. The same happened to the 14-year-old, who escaped when the van stopped at a gas station.

The 19-year-old was on her way to school when she was abducted along EDSA-Magallanes.

Tolentino said closed circuit television cameras will be added to the area on top of existing monitoring cameras. “We have to take these incidents seriously and act quickly for the arrest of the suspects,” added Tolentino. – Bea Cupin/Rappler.com