Magdalena "Maggie" de la Riva (born September 3, 1942), is a Filipina actress who was abducted in front of her home in New Manila, Quezon City on June 26, 1967 by four men, all of whom were sons of influential families, and taken to a motor hotel where she was abused and raped. Her case became one of the most publicized rape cases in Philippine history.
Maggie de la Riva Maggie de la Riva was born in Manila to Pilar Torrente (Spanish mestiza) and Juan de la Riva (German Swiss mestizo). Her relatives include singer Ana Rivera and actress Marianne dela Riva. In 1958, de la Riva completed elementary and high school at Miriam College (then known as Maryknoll College) and finished secretarial training in 1960 at Saint Theresa's College. In 1963, she was selected as one of the top five finalists for the beauty pageant Miss Caltex of 1963. In that same year, de la Riva also represented Filipino gowns for the Fashion Guild of the Philippines under the designer "Millie's Gowns". In 1964, she was hired as a brand promoter for "Respect the Centavo", a savings advertisement. Before she became an actress, she was a ballet dancer. As a movie actress, she was paid ₱8,000 per picture. At ABS-CBN, she performed in radio broadcasts and television shows (₱800 per month in permanent shows, ₱300 per month in live promotional shows, and ₱100–200 per appearance as a guest in other shows). She was the sole breadwinner of the family after the death of her father, Juan. Her mother took care of the family. She first appeared with Joseph Estrada in Istambay (English: Bystander). It was Estrada that gave her a break in becoming a star. Her most memorable role was in Ang Langit ay para sa Lahat, which she considers her best work. She was also a singer and was always a guest in the leading nightclubs in Manila. She had her own TV show titled Maggie on ABS 3. She was also a guest artist in Tanghalan sa Darigold and a recurring guest in Tindahan sa Nayon, a VG Television Production on MBC 11.
Perpetrators The four perpetrators, all of whom were from wealthy and influential families, consisted of Jaime Gómez José, Edgardo Payumo Aquino, Basílio Pineda, Jr., and Rogelio Sevilla Cañal. Jaime Gómez José, 21, was the son of José, a prominent doctor from Pampanga, and Dolores, a businesswoman from another province in the Philippines. He resided at 21 Kalatagan Street, Makati (then part of the Rizal Province until 1975 when it seceded with other cities to form the present-day Metro Manila). José had finished high school two years prior, was an engineering student of De La Salle University (then called De La Salle College) and the leader of a band named "Jaime José and the Deltas". Edgardo Payumo Aquino was a second year journalism student and son of a lawyer. He resided at 172 Mayon Street, Quezon City. Basílio Pineda, Jr. was the son of a retired Makati and Pasay police chief. He resided at 184 Marconi Street, Makati, Rizal. He was also a known member of gangs that assaulted celebrities and starlets. Rogelio Sevilla Cañal was an architecture student and the son of a former principal. He resided at 936 Palawan Street, Sampaloc, Manila and was a Negros Island native.
Crime
On the night of June 26, 1967, Rogelio Cañal and Edgardo Aquino visited Jaime José's residence to borrow his red Pontiac convertible. The latter refused but later relented on the condition that he could tag along. The trio then headed to a well-known nightclub where they had drinks and it is here that they met Basílio Pineda Jr., who confessed his love for Maggie de la Riva. He later revealed knowledge of her taping session at the ABS studio. The four men (including Pineda) drove to the venue with Pineda driving, arriving at 4:30 a.m., exactly as de la Riva finished a late recording. With her assistant Helen Calderón in the passenger seat, de la Riva drove to their home in New Manila, with the four men following them. As they arrived, the four men blasted the Pontiac horn, causing de la Riva to accelerate to avoid a collision. De la Riva's car hit a post near her residence, so she rolled down her window and shouted at Pineda, who flashed blinding headlights on her. One of the occupants of José’s car dismounted, grabbed de la Riva’s left arm, and forcefully dragging her towards the red Pontiac. Calderón tried to wrest her free, but was pushed away by the abductor. De la Riva was shoved into the backseat, three men held her down by her limbs and neck. They whispered expletives into her ear while touching her sexually, as Pineda drove away.
The rape During the ordeal, de la Riva pleaded for her life and safety, telling the men that her family depended on her since her father died. Edgardo Aquino scoffed in reply, stating that it was actually better for them (the abductors), since no man would seek revenge given that her father was dead. Upon reaching Pasay City, the four took de la Riva to a rundown motel, called Swanky Hotel. José then blindfolded de la Riva as they exited the car and walked inside, which was stated to be owned by Pineda. Cañal led her up into a room. To keep de la Riva obedient, they threatened to pour acid on her face if she tried to resist. Inside the room, the group locked the door and placed de la Riva on the bed, removing her blindfold. Pineda then instructed her to dance while disrobing, with the three other men watching. Reluctantly, de la Riva did as instructed. But after a while, the quartet grew impatient and decided to undress her themselves. José then became the first to rape de la Riva, followed by Aquino, Pineda, then Cañal. De la Riva drifted in and out of consciousness during the assault. Following the rape, the four redressed her and headed to an alleyway near the former Philippines Free Press Building in Quiapo, where they warned de la Riva to keep quiet. The men told her that they would post bail and hunt her down if she went to the police, threatening again to melt off her face with acid. The quartet then flagged a cab from a lesser-known company and told the driver to take her back to her residence. The taxi driver later testified in court that de la Riva was frantic, always looking back and asking if another vehicle was tailing them.
The People v. Jaime Jose y Gomez
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