THE gruesome murder and rape of a 16-year-old girl in Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Bankal, Lapu-Lapu City renewed the call to restore the death penalty. The lifeless body of Christine Silawan, 16, was found half-naked without underwear and her face disfigured. Only a person or persons with demonic minds would do such devilish acts.
A witness recalled to the police that three men on a motorcycle ran after the girl, grabbed and stabbed her, and then brought her to the place where she was found dead. We could only wish that the police could sooner than later apprehend the suspects and bring them to the bar of justice.
In our radio program “Frankahay Ta” (dyCM 1152AM) yesterday morning, we discussed this case lengthily. We even recommended spiteful things on what to do to the suspects once arrested. Torni Frank, who does not favor the death penalty, is now considering having the death penalty restored for grave and horrific cases, like this one.
We could only surmise, but it’s a big possibility that those three men who murdered and gang-raped the girl were under the influence of illegal drugs because no person of sane mind would do such a ghastly act. The act to disfigure the girl’s face is premeditated, which only persons with criminal minds would do. Our sincere sympathies to the grieving parents of the girl!
The responsibility to find and bring to the bar of justice the three suspects rests heavily on the shoulders of the Lapu-Lapu City police investigators. I hope that the witness had the clear view or image of the suspects so that he or she could help the police identify those criminals.
With this kind of violent news, we could only sigh to high heavens and ask, why is this happening? What has happened to our values and morality? The current situation is even confusing if we consider that the government’s drive against illegal drugs has not waned, and yet more and more narcotics have found their way to our shores and the trading of shabu continues.
Is there a group or syndicate operating out there that is out to shame and embarrass President Duterte? Whose campaign against the illegal drug trade is relentless and has put them out of business? This is one big concern that the police and the government’s intelligence unit should find out.
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Allow me a little diversion this time as a personal privilege to congratulate the Men’s team of Club Filipino Inc. de Cebu for winning the champion trophy in the Aviators Division and the Men’s team of Cebu Country Club for being the champion in the Championship Division during the 72nd PAL Invitational golf tournament held in the four golf courses in Cebu last week.
Bayani Garcia led his Cebu Country Club team to beat the three other teams in the Championship Division, which is their first time to be in the top team division of the tournament.
For team Club Filipino Inc. de Cebu, golfers Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia, Atty. Jovi Neri, Baltaire Balangauan, Jerome Flores, Teddy Almario, Jufil Sato, Andot Mondares, Councilor Nilo Seno, Evans Tumaliwan and Dominic Gotiong put their efforts together to become the champion in the Aviators Division. Gotiong is the team captain.
This is also the first time that the four host golf clubs won the tournament. Team Alta Vista Golf and Country Club was the first runner-up in the Aviators Division while the Team Mactan Island Golf Club was the champion in the Sportswriters Division. Congratulations, gentlemen!