Another female victim of the Maguindanao massacre might have been raped as indicated by the presence of seminal fluid in her genitals, an expert from the police crime laboratory said Thursday.
Chief Inspector Dean Cabrera of the police Crime Laboratory told the Quezon City court hearing the Ampatuan multiple murder case said Leah Dalmacio's genitals and her underwear tested positive for the presence of semen.
"There is definite evidence that the victim was sexually abused or had sexual contact," said Cabrera, who claimed to have conducted close to a thousand autopsies in his career and had testified in court more than 300 times already.
For the second time on Thursday, Cabrera revealed findings of traces of semen in the remains of another massacre victim. Last Wednesday, Cabrera also revealed that victim Rahima Palawan might have been raped or had sexual contact prior to her death due to the presence of seminal fluid in her vagina.
On Thursday's hearing at the Quezon City Hall of Justice, Cabrera said Dalmacio sustained nine gunshot wounds to her head, trunk, and extremities – two injuries were considered fatal.
Moreover, Cabrera said Dalmacio must have died a "violent death" due to the multiple gunshot wounds she sustained.
An autopsy report showed Dalmacio's left ring finger was partially cut off, and according to Cabrera, his findings show that the amputation happened when the victim was still alive.
Because the suspects' presence was not required in Thursday's hearing, the trial proceedings were held at Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes' own court room at the Quezon City Hall of Justice, and not at the usual venue at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.
The prosecution was expected to present medico-legal experts within the day. The cross examination of prosecution witness Noh Akil will take place at next week's hearing in Camp Bagong Diwa. — LBG/KBK