Wednesday, October 11, 2006 SU Nursing student's rob-slay an 'over-reaction’: mayor By Jimmy P. Abayon
MAYOR Agustin Perdices believed Silliman University (SU) College of Nursing dean Dr. Teresita Sinda might have "over-reacted" when she described Dumaguete City as unsafe following the robbery-slaying of a senior female nursing student.
Lucia Niña Estacio, 25, single, of 290 Malvar Street, Dipolog City was stabbed and killed by former parking attendant Raul Compra Jr., 27, inside her apartment in Barangay Daro past 2:00 p.m. Monday.
Sinda said contrary to its image as a City of Gentle people, Dumaguete City is unsafe.
But, Perdices said the City Government has been doing its best to address crime problems even before the student's slay.
Perdices said the peace and order situation in Dumaguete City today could not be compared to that of 20 to 30 years ago when crime-prone individuals were only a few in number.
He said Estacio's death could have become more complicated if the suspect had not been arrested.
The mayor reiterated his previous statements that the recent killing should serve as a wake-up call to all sectors to also take responsibility to maintain peace in the community.
Perdices said he was surprised why the SU College of Nursing was indignant in the violent death of its student when it was silent on other killings in the city as in the case of an elementary school girl who was raped and killed in Barangay Camanjac months before.
He said Compra would not have been free to rob and kill Estacio had his past victims pursued their complaints against him. The suspect had been linked to four robbery cases in the past.
The SU College of Nursing scheduled an indignant walk around the city last Friday against the rising crime incidents.
SU press statement
Meantime, SU said it would not stop to emphasize the need for extra precautions to be taken especially about suspicious persons.
"We urge everyone who will notice such persons in their community to report this right away to the appropriate authorities and, if such occurs on campus, to report this right away to the Security Office," the SU said.
The university issued its stand in a press statement expressing its sadness over the October 2, 2006 robbery and fatal stabbing of Estacio.
"Whether the event happened on or off campus, SU did not hesitate to provide whatever assistance was needed by the victim and her family," the statement said.
After it was informed about the incident, it said, the University ordered full legal assistance to the family of the victim and campus security coordinated with the authorities to help identify probable witnesses on advice of the University Legal Counsel.
It said SU Medical Center Foundation, Inc. provided support when Estacio was brought to the hospital for medical help.
"Unfortunately, she was pronounced dead on arrival," said the statement.
Moreover, it said, other units in the university such as the Office of Student Affairs and the Campus Chaplaincy Center gave support especially to the victim's roommates who were not in the apartment when the crime happened.
The students and faculty and staff of the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences were also mobilized to give a system of support in whatever way possible, it further said.
It said the university's guidance and counseling service and the University Crisis Response Team were also mobilized to help students cope with the tragedy.
Compra was charged last Tuesday for robbery and homicide.
The victim was alone inside her room past 2 p.m. Monday studying for her finals when the suspect, brandishing a six-and-a-half inch screw driver, barged in and demanded that she hand over her bag that contained a lap top computer, two Nokia cellphones, an adaptor, and an internet card.
In the ensuing struggle prompted by the student's refusal, the suspect grabbed a knife and stabbed the girl.
Neighbors who heard the scream of the dying student rushed out to see Compra escaping aboard a pedicab on nearby Tindalo street.
He was later cornered, mauled by irate people, and turned over to responding Dumaguete City police.
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