Philippines: Catholic Church condemns ‘brutal killing’ of Occidental Mindoro student 

The Catholic Church strongly condemns the brutal killing' of a graduating student from Occidental Mindoro State College (OMSC) in San Jose on June 30 and urged the government to deliver justice to the victim's family.

 "We join Villacete’s family in crying out for justice," said Father Giovanni Gatdula, the chancellor of the Apostolic Vicariate of San Jose, to RVA News on Thursday, July 6.

"We ask the People of God to pray for justice and help our government agencies in their efforts for the speedy resolution of this horrible crime," the priest added.

Gatdula, citing Genesis 4:10, said, "We appeal to the criminal’s conscience, "Surrender yourself! Listen to your guilt!" The Lord is telling you, "What have you done? Listen; your sister’s blood is crying out to me from the ground."

OMSC's prospective fifth-year Bachelor of Science in Architecture student was named Eden Joy Villacete. She was discovered slashed to death in her rented room in Barangay 7 on June 30, according to police.

Her neighbors reported to authorities that there was a foul smell coming from the victim's room and that they had not seen her in the past two days. Police said she sustained six stab wounds on different parts of her body, and there is a possibility that the victim was raped. 

Around 2,000 individuals held a unity walk and prayer vigil from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at San Jose Town Plaza, calling for justice for Villacete on July 3. 

The OMSC Student Affairs Office and Student Council organized the program for Villacete, which included a Holy Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral, a unity walks, testimonies, statements of support, a video tribute, the response of the family, the releasing of doves, the lighting of candles by family, school officials, local leaders, and other supporters, and a prayer. 

“We condemn in the strongest terms the violent killing... We call on the authorities for the speedy solving of this heinous crime as we commit to full cooperation and support in the conduct of the investigation,” said the OMSC in a statement read by its Vice President for Academics, Dr. Norma Muyot, on Monday’s vigil mass.

 “.. We will always remember Eden Joy as a hardworking, amiable, and responsible student leader who would prioritize the interests of those she led before her own,” read the OMSC message. 

“She was kind, thoughtful, and wanted to complete her studies to help us,” said the victim’s father, Perlito, a fisherman. 

“We cry for justice,” said the broken-hearted Mother, Violeta.

While authorities searched for the perpetrator, the San Jose police station reminded the public not to believe that the suspect had already surrendered or been arrested. 

“We are a quiet town... we have spent sleepless nights waiting for resolution of the case… We appeal to the perpetrator to surrender, you cannot do away with the law, from God, although it is a difficult decision...,” said San Jose Mayor Rey Ladaga, during the vigil ceremony. 

“We hope that with help from the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) and other authorities, the case will be resolved,” said Ladaga, who also appealed to the parents to convince the perpetrator to surrender. - Madonna T. Virola