GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The people of General Santos City are reeling in anger and disbelief after two members of the Highway Patrol Group–SOCCSKSARGEN (HPG-12), whose sworn duty is to protect the public, were accused of the most abhorrent crime: the rape of two 17-year-old female students.
The suspects, identified as a Police Master Sergeant and a Police Senior Master Sergeant, have been removed from their posts and placed under restrictive custody while facing both criminal and administrative charges.
According to reports, the horrifying incident occurred more than two weeks ago in Barangay Calumpang. The victims, both students of Golden State College, were riding a motorcycle when the accused officers allegedly stopped them for a supposed traffic violation. What followed was a gross abuse of authority and a shocking violation of human rights.
Instead of processing them lawfully, the officers allegedly brought the victims to an impounding area, handed them a receipt without requiring payment, and then transported them to another location where the rape took place.
Golden State College Vice President for Academic Affairs, Josie Yap, confirmed that the families of the victims have filed formal complaints and firmly rejected any attempts at settlement. “The family is firm in pursuing the case and will not be swayed. Affidavits have been submitted and sworn before the prosecutor,” she said.
While the victims now continue their education through distance learning, they are also undergoing counseling and psychological debriefing to help them recover from the trauma.
Community Outrage and Public Protest
The atrocity has sparked a wave of condemnation and grief in the city. Hundreds of students, faculty members, and concerned citizens staged a prayer rally at Freedom Park, carrying placards reading: “Rape is a crime, not a shame,” “Justice must be served,” and “Protect the victims, not rapists.”
Golden State College also organized an ecumenical prayer and candlelight vigil at Freedom Park, bringing together religious leaders, community advocates, and students in a unified cry for justice. Candles illuminated the night as prayers called for healing for survivors and accountability for perpetrators.
A Grave Breach of Trust
The public entrusts law enforcement officers with the power to uphold the law, safeguard lives, and protect the vulnerable. When those entrusted with such authority use it as a weapon to exploit and harm, it is not only a crime against the victims but an assault on the very foundations of justice and democracy.
This incident is more than an isolated criminal act—it is a damning indictment of systemic failures that allow predators to wear badges. The alleged abuse of two minors by men sworn to protect them is not just a scandal; it is a betrayal so vile it corrodes public trust in law enforcement.
Justice Must Be Swift and Uncompromising
The people of General Santos City, and the entire nation, demand that the full weight of the law be brought down upon these accused officers without fear or favor. There must be no cover-ups, no leniency, and no “special treatment” simply because the suspects wore uniforms.
Every second of delay in delivering justice sends the dangerous message that those in power can commit unspeakable crimes and walk free. We cannot allow this to stand.
Let it be clear: the badge is not a shield for criminals—it is a symbol of service and sacrifice. Those who tarnish it by preying on the vulnerable deserve not only to be stripped of their ranks but to face the harshest penalties the law provides.
This is not just about two victims. This is about every citizen’s right to live without fear of the very people who are supposed to protect them. Justice for these young women is justice for us all.