Thursday, October 02, 2008 Speak out: Rachelle’s death By National Union of Peoples Lawyers Cebu Chapter
WE believe that the death of nursing graduate Rachelle Mae Palang meant that government has failed to satisfy the youth’s idealism for a better Philippines.
It shows a rotten government that has neglected the country’s health system.
If Rachelle was on medical mission at the time of her death, she did the noble act of tending to the rural areas’ underprivileged families that do not have access to medical care something that government failed, if not neglected, to do.
If Rachelle was killed in a legitimate encounter, as alleged by the military, it shows that government has failed to win over the youth to its side.
It means that an intelligent girl veered away from the government because she saw another path towards her longing for a better Philippines.
We believe that there will be more Rachelles should government continue to fail to address the issue of landlessness, poverty, hunger, health and injustice.
The death of an idealist and intelligent student leader should serve as a wake up call for the government.
Meanwhile, we are ready to provide legal assistance to the families of Rachelle and the other two fatalities.
We likewise support the call of the Cebu Provincial Board for an investigation on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
