Patient raped at COVID-19 facility in Legazpi City

A patient in a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) facility in Legazpi City, Albay was on her way home after finishing her 14-day quarantine when she was raped by a fellow patient.

According to Chino Gaston’s report on “24 Oras,” the investigation of the Legazpi Police showed that the victim was waiting to be picked up from the Ibalong Centrum for Recreation when she was approached by the suspect.

The suspect, who was with the victim for a few days, asked her to join them for a drinking session within the facility.

“Nung pumunta po sa comfort room ‘yung biktima, allegedly po sinundan po siya ng respondent at kung saan po siya nagkaroon ng rape,” City Prosecutor Brian Baleda said.

[When the victim when to the comfort room, she was allegedly followed by the respondent and then the rape occurred.]

Baleda added that the same day, the authorities processed the inquest. But the respondent did not request a preliminary investigation.

The suspect is currently detained at the Legazpi City Police Station.

Meanwhile, the local government launched an internal investigation to probe the drinking session and the lack of response from the hired private security and the guards.

“Bakit nakapasok? Allegedly, nag-inuman. Ang ibig sabihin nakapasok ‘yung bawal. Kumbaga may security tayo diyan, may contact tayo diyan, may police. Ano ito? Palagi na ba ito? Bakit hindi nakarating sa amin?” Mayor Noel Rosal said.

[How did they get in? Allegedly, there was a drinking session. This means that something prohibited was able to enter. We have security, we have contacts, we have police. What is this? Does this occur often? Why did it not reach us?]

Rosal said he has launched an internal investigation to determine if protocol was breached, saying that the security agency will have to answer for the incident, and the police assigned as well. — Joahna Lei Casilao/BM, GMA News