CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Just as women around the world celebrate their achievements and milestones this March also known as Women's Month, somewhere across the globe there are women who continue to be victimized and violated by predators and robbed of their rights.
One such victim is Cherrymae Dayo, a 30-year-old working student and a resident of Cagayan de Oro who met a brutal death at the hands of five persons early this month.
A friend here in Charlotte asked me while we were celebrating Women’s Month two weeks ago if I am aware of a news story on a working student who was raped and killed in my city.
I answered maybe after the program sponsored by the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas Inc. I will look into it. When I did read up on it online, I was engulfed with sadness for Dayo, who only had a year to go to finish her education degree in one of the local schools.
Based on a story I read online, Cherrymae was stabbed numerous times, one in the chest. It is not clear if she was raped first before being stabbed to death.
Indeed a heinous act which if we apply the “eye for an eye” rule demands that the punishment must fit the crime at least for me. The death penalty bill is still being debated in Congress but that is a different story.
Only those whose minds are sick or corrupted by drugs can commit this vicious crime. While the suspects were arrested, the country's antiquated justice system may mean it would take several “Women's Month” celebrations before it is resolved and the perpetrators convicted.
I am more concerned about prevention. The crime happened at Capistrano-JR Borja Street which is near a police precinct. Crimes are happening all over Cagayan de Oro that I ask myself where are the cops when you need them? Are there any “ronda tanods” (village watchmen) out there who can at least inspire fear from the criminals? It seems there were none at the time of the crime.
The times have changed so much that people in the neighborhood should become “citizen cops” and those living at Capistrano –JR Borja streets must be vigilant against criminal elements. I was thinking of a total overhaul of the system of recruitment in the police force.
For starters, hire local or Kagay-anon applicants for the Cagayan de Oro Police Office since they know the city, its people and terrain since childhood more than anyone else. In this way the cops would be more confident walking or patrolling their beat. The locals also know the bad boys along the streets.
Or if it is impossible since recruitment is done by the region, then majority of those to be assigned to Cagayan de Oro or any locality should be from that place or whose parents or majority of the relatives are from that place. I am thinking that if the victim fought for her life and there were citizen cops or tanods patrolling the area, then maybe they could have helped the victim and stopped the criminals right there in the spot. As it is the police had to work overtime to catch them in various parts of the city.
That is why the new city police chief should double down by assigning the right people to patrol the beat.
In Cornelius City located seven miles from Charlotte I noticed for the last seven years that I lived here that cops or peace officers are in the park talking to walkers, passers-by or just on the street either standing or walking. They talk to people like us every day. The cops are part of our community.
While I was still there, most of the cops are riding police vehicles or assigned at the police precinct. It is time for the cops to assimilate themselves within the community, to get connected and be involved in the lives of stakeholders. Walk the streets if they must and get to know the people in the neighborhood. They should be vigilant and watch out for people visiting their area so heinous crimes and tragedies like Cherrymae Dayo can be avoided.
What a way to celebrate Women’s Month from the other side of the world. At least Cherrymae Dayo fought for her life before it was taken from her. But her untimely demise need not occur again for people to be reminded about vigilance.