A Filipina girl at the center of a row between Manila and Kuala Lumpur was sexually abused even before her alleged rape recently at a Malaysian detention center, a Philippine official said Monday.

Malaysia is investigating a complaint by Philippines President Gloria Arroyo last week that the 13-year-old girl among thousands of Filipino illegals sent home by the Sabah authorities was raped, reportedly by a policeman at a detention center.

Filipino authorities have established that prior to the sexual assault at the detention center, she was also molested on the streets, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman said over local DZBB radio.

Roaming streets

The girl, born in the Sabah port of Sandakan to a poor Filipino family, had been roaming the streets since she was 10 years old.

"She was 10 at that time, and she was already abused by three men, who had picked her up," Soliman was quoted by a local daily as saying.

The girl's parents have not been traced.

Soliman added: "There at the detention center, the police would take her out and she was sexually abused outside the detention center.

"She can tell the story ... but we want to keep her safe and unknown so that she can have a whole life ahead of her."

Thousands of Filipino illegal migrants have been leaving the Malaysian state of Sabah in droves in recent weeks due to a Malaysian crackdown on illegal immigration.

Stirred outrage

Reports of maltreatment of the deportees, including alleged rape of some women, have stirred outrage in the Philippines.

Last week a Philippine delegation inspected the detention centers where deportees were held before being sent back to the Philippines.

In a joint statement, the two governments said the Filipino mission found the Malaysian government "has exerted all efforts to ease the hardships of Filipino detainees/deportees."

Meanwhile, Philippines ambassador to Malaysia Jose Brillantes said Sunday that the embassy will appoint a Malaysian lawyer to represent a 13-year-old Filipino girl who was allegedly raped at a detention centre here.

Best of choice

"We are looking into the possibility of appointing a Malaysian lawyer," Brillantes told AFP .

"This is the best of choice, because they're the ones that can practise here without as much hassle as foreign lawyers, who first need approval from the legal profession."

He said the embassy had yet to decide on a specific counsel, but said they had a list of prospective Malaysian lawyers and would pick someone most suitable to handle the case.

"We are still looking at all possibilities, and hiring a Malaysian lawyer will be the best option because they know better," he said. — AFP