|
Friday, August 04, 2006
Beware of textmates, police warn public
By Nicolas C. Delfin, Roberto L. Bacasong and Danny B. Dancalan
THE Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office (Noppo) and the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) cautioned females against meeting strangers they only knew through text messaging.
This as the latest rape victim, who was strangled before her body was dumped in a ricefield in Barangay Abuanan in Bago City, was allegedly raped and killed by her textmate.
The 23-year-old victim from Barangay Pilar in Hinigaran town, Allen Hope Barcoma, reportedly went out to have dinner with a textmate Thursday night.
Her boardmate and friend, Lulu Rodero, in an interview over ABS-CBN, said that a still unidentified male with a white car fetched Barcoma.
She said, the victim even invited her to join them as they have plans of attending the Kabankalan Charter celebration that night.
Barcoma, however, failed to return that night and was only discovered six days after, in a ricefield.
Barcoma is a grade six school teacher of the Fellowship Baptist Church in Binalbagan City.
Barcoma is the second raped victim who fell prey to "textmate killers" next to Michelle Montila who was also killed at a hotel in Bacolod City, February last year.
Meanwhile, Noppo Director Charles Calima Jr. ordered Kabankalan Police Chief Virgilio De la Cruz to coordinate with the Bago City Police in the rape slay investigation.
Negros Occidental Governor Joseph Marañon on the other hand calls on the law enforcement agency to prevent incidents of rape.
He is also calling on the barangay tanods to play an active role in the prevention of these crimes at barangay levels.
Marañon added that the incidents would also serve as a warning to parents who holds the responsibility of securing their children's safety.
He encourages every household to observe the tradition of going home by 6 pm, especially for the young people.
Marañon also blamed the deterioration of the basic values as according to him, rape is a result of disrespect for women.
(August 4, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
