UP Diliman heightens security as police hunt student’s assailant

The student who was sexually assaulted inside the University of the Philippines' Diliman campus late Saturday said that she would be able to identify her assailant, as the investigation into the attack continues.

According to Tina Panganiban-Perez's report on "24 Oras" on Monday, the victim told the police that she was walking down Ylanan Street towards Commonwealth Avenue at around 11 p.m. on July 1 when the suspect approached and pushed her down a wooded area on the side of the road. He was armed with a blade.

As the victim struggled, the sound of approaching people caused the assailant to flee.

"May mga security personnel na eventually nakita siya, kaya napigil yung assault at a certain time; naiwasan kung ano pang puwedeng mangyari," said UP Diliman Chancellor Edgardo Carlo Vistan II. "Kumaripas na ng takbo 'yung umatake sa kanya."

The UP Diliman police brought the victim to the UP Health Service and then helped her file a complaint before the Philippine National Police. 

"We have already endorsed the victim to the crime laboratory for physical, medical examination," said Quezon City Police District Director Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III.

"May mga injuries siya sa katawan, sa paa, sa tiyan, sa kamay."

Vistan said that they do not have any information about whether there are indications that she had been raped. "The initial psychological and mental wellness support through the women’s desk of the police was also given," he said.

Vistan said that security in the area has already been heightened. Workers have also begun cutting down trees around the creek where the attack happened.

"Ang isa naming iniisip, moving forward, is to perhaps provide transportation to who want to pass by the area at a certain time," he said.

With the victim saying she would be able to identify the assailant, the QCPD said he should turn himself in.

"We’ll look into CCTVs na possible na naka-catch ng nangyaring ito," said Torre.

"Pina-fingernail examination 'yung victim. Ma-sa-science natin itong case na ito." — BM, GMA Integrated News