Monday, August 07, 2006
University vows fair probe on student's death
By Antonio M. Ajero
DAVAO CITY -- Sanctions will be imposed on persons found responsible and negligent in the holding of a beauty pageant that caused the burning to death of student Cheryl Sarate, said lawyer Ramon Edison C. Batacan, member of the University of Southeastern Philippines (Usep) board.
Batacan assured the public of "a fair and honest-to-goodness investigation with the end view of ascertaining the truth and the imposition of sanctions against all responsible persons."
He said the university never abandoned the relatives of the victim in the financial obligations that attended the tragic death of Sarate.
Sarate was participating in a beauty pageant organized by fellow students inside the university's social hall when her cellophane costume gown decorated with cotton reportedly caught fire from one of the candles on stage.
Sarate, a first year AB English student, died last July 20.
Batacan said the incident is currently investigated by the school administration through a fact-finding committee created last July 26.
"Until the conclusion of the investigation, the facts and circumstances of the incident cannot be officially established, hence, in the meantime, the administration cannot take legal action against those persons responsible for the incident," he said.
He requested members of the media "to exercise extreme caution in making reports to the public based on speculations as this may hamper the investigation or cause false public perception against the university."
Sarate was buried in Calinan last August 1.
The university reportedly shouldered the expenses in the hospitalization (for three days), wake, and burial of the victim. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
(August 7, 2006 issue)
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