Tuesday, November 27, 2007 'Weak' justice system in Roselyn Elumba case scored
BACOLOD City Councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue hit Monday the alleged weak justice system in the country that prolonged the case of nine-year-old Roselyn Elumba of Purok Tinagong Paraiso, Banago Bacolod.
Elumba was found dead in a secluded area with tall cogon grasses also in the barangay on November 22 or three days after she was reported missing.
She was believed to be a victim of rape, too. However, the city's medico-legal officer, Dr. Eli Cong, said he has no equipment that can be used on the decomposing cadaver.
Police are still waiting for a medico-legal officer of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Iloilo City to come and examine the body.
"I'm disgusted and people should be disgusted. This is a direct affront to the rights of little children, we don't treat them or the criminals as human beings," Sigue said.
Roselyn will have to be buried soon without the benefit of a good police investigation.
Although the police reportedly know who the suspect is, they can't point to him until the investigation is completed.
Gabriela-Negros secretary general Maria Rina Amacio explained that women in the Philippines are more vulnerable to domestic and sexual violence under the conditions of widespread poverty, hunger, and inequality.
"In the case of Roselyn, because of extreme poverty, the mother is unable to protect her from the abusers because she has to be away and work long hours to augment family income," Amacio added.
Sigue, meanwhile, authored a City Council resolution declaring November 25 to December 10, 2007 as 16 days of activism against gender violence in Bacolod City.
