FORMER Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez has called on the Davao City government, police authorities, and women councilors to promptly investigate the case of Lilian del Campo Nieva's death and expedite the delivery of justice.
In his message after the funeral Mass at Davao Memorial Park chapel on Tuesday, October 3, Ramirez said, "Dili puwede na ang kamatayon ni Lilian wala'y hustisya (Lilian's death cannot be without justice)."
The 57-year-old Nieva was stabbed to death inside her Davao City residence at Phase 1, Blk. 101 Lot 3, Deca Homes Talomo, on September 28, 2023.
"Ginapanghambog na peaceful and progressive ang city. Nagtuo ko nga mahatag ang hustisya kay Lilian (We brag about being a peaceful and progressive city. I believe that justice will be served to Lilian)," the two-term PSC chief, who served under former presidents Rodrigo Duterte and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said.
Nieva served as Ramirez's secretary for 12 years, from Ateneo de Davao University to the Sports Development Division of the Davao City Mayor's Office, and in the PSC. Ramirez was AdDU's athletics director before heading the city sports office.
Ramirez also said Nieva also joined Duterte's advance party team during the latter's presidential campaign.
In an ambush interview on Monday night, October 2, while paying his respects at Nieva's final wake at Cosmopolitan Cabaguio in Agdao, Davao City, Ramirez said they are now working with the National Bureau Investigation-Davao Region (NBI) and other investigative authorities to expedite the case.
“Nakalitan gyud mi; what is painful is that she was brutally murdered. Nianhi ko to show my support and mangayo gyud mig tabang sa Davao City Police Office (DCPO) and NBI nga ang pag sa seek justice, ma-answer na gyud para ma-at ease pud ang pamilya (We were shocked; what is painful is that she was brutally murdered. I am here to show my support and we really need the help from DCPO and NBI to seek justice to put her family at ease)," he said.
“Maghimo pa og complain sa NBI pero amoang pagkabalo, ang mga pulis naghimo na og imbestigasyon (We will file a complaint to NBI but as we all know, the police authorities are now conducting investigations)," he added.
The investigation revealed that the victim's house had been robbed, with personal belongings like her iPhone 12 and an unspecified amount of jewelry missing.
As of press time, Nieva's family has yet to release an official statement.
From the last week of August to the first week of October, Talomo District has witnessed three cases of theft and robbery, includingLilian del Campo Nieva the Choice Mart robbery in Puan and the broad daylight ransack incident at J&T Express. DEF WITH MLSA