Updates on the Antique Rape-Slay Case

Re: my post entitled, "Sad, gruesome news" ... here are some email updates I received today from Antiqueno Sumakwel:

Our efforts to bring this case to national consciousness have borne fruit. GMA-7's 24 Oras reported about the case yesterday (2/18/09). Philippine Daily Inquirer's Ma. Ceres P. Doyo has written about it in her column today (PDI, 2/19/09). Malaya's Ellen Tordesillas first posted it on her column & on her blog (2/09/09). Also, the case has caught Malacanang's attention. Arroyo ordered PNP to tackle the case soonest (see below). I'm just curious why Malacanang acted only now (a day after GMA-7's report) when in fact I sent an e-mail about this case both to the DOJ's e-mail and DSWD's website as early as February 11, 2009. As an Antiqueno, I am really grateful for all your help and assistance. God bless us all.

From GMA-7's 24 Oras news:

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

Arroyo orders PNP to tackle rape-slay case in Antique soonest
02/19/2009 | 02:54 PM

MANILA, Philippines – Press Secretary Cerge Remonde on Thursday said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo wants to bring to justice the perpetrators of the rape-slay of a 16-year-old girl in Antique province.

In a text message to reporters, Remonde said President Arroyo directed Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Jesus Verzosa to follow up on the case, crack the police’s whip on those responsible for the crime, and send them behind bars.

“The President has already personally instructed Gen. Versoza to attend to the case with dispatch. The perpetrator or perpetrators must be put behind bars and suffer the consequences of their evil deeds," Remonde said.

Reports earlier said that at least three men supposedly gang raped and subsequently killed the victim in San Jose town, Antique on January 31.

The National Bureau of Investigation had earlier confirmed that the victim was raped but Remonde said “the PNP is still awaiting the autopsy report from the NBI."

Authorities are holding one of the suspects, GMA Newscast “24 Oras" reported Wednesday. The television report said the SIM card of the victim’s cellular phone was found in the suspect’s possession.

In his text message, Remonde said that if the reported details of the crime are proven true, “this could be one of the most dreadful cases in memory - unthinkable, to say the least."

Remonde added that President Arroyo also extended her sympathy to the victim’s family and “promised everything will be done to alleviate their sufferings and bring the culprits to justice." - Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV

Sad, gruesome news

It was something you thought could only happen in movies or read in books. But it was something that happened in real life, right there in my own hometown (San Jose, Antique, Philippines). I heard about it late last week but I did not have all the details. Just now I read an account from Ellen Tordesillas' blog. My heart grieves for the victim and for her family and loved ones. May justice prevail, even if those who committed the crime may be more influential. My heart also grieves for my hometown and province. No longer can we say that it is a peace-loving community. Despite all the great & good things we hear people are doing there, we should not blind ourselves to the fact that alongside all these so-called greatness, darkness prevails, especially drug abuse and the many evils that come out of it.

In these modern times, it is often a fact that change for the better should happen. That is why it is always frustrating to know that in my hometown, it is still dangerous to be out at night, because of the darkness - in every sense of the word. Twenty or so years ago, when I was working in a nearby city, I would often take the last trip to go home for the weekend. I would arrive in my hometown between 8 and 9 pm. Then from the bus station I would just walk to my house (about 1 km) alone. My parents would tell me to be careful as it was not safe, as there were many addicts around. That was in the early to mid-80s. But why is it still the same story more than 20 years on, in the mid-2000s, and even more frightening? Instead of progressing, we are regressing. Dare we point a finger to anyone? Maybe it's time to analyse why is this so. Who are the designated guardians of our community? Where is the social responsibility of all those who were elected or chosen by the people?

There are still so many questions and I feel that since I am not living there anymore maybe I have no right to ask them. I know some would say that anyway, and that I could not do anything. What I can only do is to pray to the Lord Almighty that His real Light will shine to everyone there, even to those who fantasize that they are already enlightened, but maybe are going the opposite way. And my prayer is that the lives of those who know the Truth, the Way and the Life will shine to influence others to also want to know the same.