‘Rape victims’ retract statement

TUGUEGARAO, Cagayan, Philippines — Two teenagers who claimed they were raped in Gattaran, Cagayan have withdrawn their statement.

The girls, aged 14 and 15, who were accompanied by their parents and relatives, told police on Monday that they were with their friends from Nov. 28 to Dec. 2 when they were reported missing. They earlier claimed two unidentified men offered them a ride home, but they were brought to a house where they were allegedly raped by five men along with two other teenagers. 

The teenagers said they made up the story because they were afraid to go home.