Monday, August 07, 2006
Rape victim laid to rest
By Roberto L. Bacasong
* Padilla is to turn 15 on Tuesday. Her classmates say they would have celebrated her birthday at the Buro-buro springs
* Lone Bacolod Representative Monico Puentevella vows to support the Padilla family in their quest for justice
ABOUT 1,500 mourners, from all walks of life, attended the funeral of Mary Rose Padilla, the 14-year-old girl who was raped and strangled to death last July 28.
Her body was found half-naked at Hacienda Carmen, a canefield in Barangay Granada, Bacolod City by her parents.
The necrological ceremony at the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Granada lasted more than three hours. It was attended by her family, relatives, teachers and classmates in Emiliano Lizares National High School.
Bacolod Lone District Representative Monico Puentevella, together with his son Nikki Puentevella, also attended and paid respect to the Padillas.
Padilla's closest friends described her as caring, dreamer and jolly.
The mass was officiated by Fr. Francis Perez of the St. Jude Thaddeus Church in Alijis and Fr. Alfonso Rojo, a parish priest in Granada. Both offered inspiring words of encouragement to the bereaved family.
Rojo, in his homily, said the Lord has a great plan for (Mary Rose) Padilla.
"We should pray for her and also offer a prayer to the person responsible for her death," said Rojo as he challenged the suspect to accept the penalty for the crime he committed.
After the mass, Padilla was finally laid to rest at the Barangay Granada Cemetery at about five in the afternoon.
'Birthday Bash'
The victim's friends, Sheila Mae Duran, Niña Alba, Ernil Occeña and Jinggoy Baltejar said they are still planning to celebrate Padilla's birthday Tuesday.
Duran, in an interview, said before Padilla's death, they have plans of celebrating her birthday at the Buro-Buro Spring in Barangay Alangilan.
Padilla is supposed to turn 15 by then.
In their tribute to Mary Rose, they sang the song Farewell.
"I know you (Mary Rose) will always stay in our heart. We will never forget you because you are very special to us," her friends said.
Rojo, on the other hand, said Sunday's 6 a.m. mass will be offered to Mary Rose for her supposed coming birthday.
Puentevella, in his message, assured the family of justice for Mary Rose.
The Police Station 10 has already filed charges for rape with homicide against the suspect Allan Fernandez last week.
Fernandez, 26, was identified by the lone witness who saw him came out from the spot where Padilla's body was found twice.
The Police also confirmed that Fernandez was a former member of Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB).
The victim's mother Rosalie, 41, her father Moises, 41 and siblings - Rustom Ralph, 12; Ravin Ralph, 10; and Melca Rustea, 4, thanked the people who attended the funeral of their departed loved one.
(August 7, 2006 issue)
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