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Saturday, January 07, 2006
Find real killers: judge's kin ask
CEBU CITY -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo paid her last respects Friday to Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Henrick Gingoyon, whose family appealed for the arrest of his killers and "not just a set of fall guys."
Arroyo spoke to the judge's mother Conchita and wife Maribeth at the Sacred Heart Chapel in Cebu City, then used a laptop to chat with Gingoyon's second daughter, Hyacinth, who is in the United States and cannot yet come home.
"Her gesture is very much appreciated. I know that it is not easy for her to find the time to come here," said Gingoyon's eldest daughter, Hazel Beth, when sought for an interview.
"But we hope that even after the media hype is over, the investigation on my father's death will continue and real justice is served. We hope that they can arrest the real killers and identify the real mastermind and not just a set of fall guys," she said.
The police and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have filed murder charges in Cavite against six men: Rodolfo Cuer, the alleged gunman; Danny Sulaliman, who allegedly gave Cuer money; Rudy Baclor, who has identified the mastermind as a certain "Eid"; Efren Samonte; Mark Datas, who allegedly drove the getaway motorcycle; and Filemon "Boy Negro" Rabino.
Five others were freed Wednesday night for lack of evidence.
Two lawyers' groups condemned the killing and called on government to end the "culture of violence" in the country.
The Free Legal Assistance Group (Flag), of which Gingoyon was a member, lamented the unsolved murders of lawyers, judges, journalists, and businessmen.
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu City Chapter is also urging the government to solve the killing Gingoyon quickly.
Presidential Security Group (PSG) operatives escorted Arroyo, who wore all black, at the wake.
Before she arrived, the entire Sacred Heart Church compound was subjected to a security sweep using a bomb-sniffing Belgian Malinois.
Members of Gingoyon's family awaited Arroyo's arrival with banners crying for justice.
Gingoyon's remains will be cremated on Sunday. His ashes will be brought to Manila, where Maribeth and the children will continue to stay.
Rep. Antonio Cuenco (Cebu City, south) quoted President Arroyo as having assured the family of a speedy and comprehensive probe.
"Right now, the family does not have bisa'g gamay na lang nga (not even the slightest) clue. Naa nay nadakpan but the investigators are still trying to identify the mastermind," Cuenco said.
Hazel Beth, in an interview, said the President also asked about how they are and how they'll be when they return to Manila.
While she quickly pointed out that they have no reason to doubt the initial findings released by the investigators, she said they just don't want to bring injustice to people by wrongfully accusing them of the crime.
She maintained that the killing could not have been out of a personal grudge because the late judge had no known enemies.
Flag said the recent killing is only a result of the culture of violence that has pervaded the country.
In a resolution, Flag said the culture of violence "spawned unsolved murders, assassinations, summary executions of suspected criminals and killings of activists and political dissenters."
The IBP, on the other hand, sees the killing as an "impact of lawlessness, deteriorating peace and order and lack of respect for the rule of law by elements of our society."
The two lawyers' groups will submit their resolutions to the President, Philippine National Police Director Arturo Lomibao and the NBI.
They urged the government to resolve the cases efficiently and quickly. (KNR/JGA of Sun.Star Cebu/Sunnex)
(January 7, 2006 issue)
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