Peñaranda family of slain UPLB student appeals for justice

The family of slain University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) student Ray Bernard Peñaranda wants justice and asked their son’s murderers to voluntarily surrender, according to GMA News’ “24 Oras.”   “Sumuko na lang sana sila, para matapos na… Lalo na ‘yung anak ko [para] mapanatag na rin siya. Pagdusahan na lang niya ‘yung kanyang kasalanan kasi ginawa nila 'yun e,” German Peñaranda, the victim’s father, said in the report Monday.   Ray Bernard, a junior UPLB agriculture student, was robbed and stabbed to death by a couple of holdup men riding-in-tandem on a motorcycle just outside the university campus Sunday evening as he came from a Youth For Christ dance rehearsals. His two companions scampered away and escaped from the scene. 

  Anna, the victim’s sister, saw the CCTV footage showing his brother's last moments before passing away. She said Ray Bernard could have been saved if only others came to his aid.   “Dun ko nakita how hopeless he was, eh. Nakahawak siya sa chest niya, na trying to get help and then bumulagta siya dun sa street and then wala agad immediate na tumulong sa kanya,” she said.   “Ang sabi nga nung doctor kay Mama, my brother was late for five minutes lang. Kung nadala si Ray nang mas maaga, puwede pa sana siyang ma-revive,” the victim’s sister added.   Ray Bernard’s father hopes that his son will be the last victim to die in the hands of robbers.   “Sana matapos kay Ray ‘yung [ganung pangyayari] dun sa area na ‘yun… Sana mawala na ‘yung ganyang violence, ‘yung mga kagaya ni Ray na hindi naman dapat bawian kaagad nang buhay, nawawala na,” the elder Peñaranda said.   Ray Bernard will be buried next Sunday, March 11, in Tanay, Rizal, GMA News reporter Tricia Zafra reported.   Dean Domingo Angeles, UPLB’s College of Agriculture dean, joined Ray Bernard’s family in their hour of grief.   “Siguro kung ito pong si Ray ay nabubuhay pa, cum laude ito… ‘no, sapagkat simula nung kanyang freshman year matataas ang grade na nakukuha niya,” said Angeles.   The dean surprised the Ray Bernard’s family by issuing a Certificate of College Scholar under the victim’s name, which was supposed to be awarded to him Tuesday.   “’Yun pala may sorpresa. Dati kasi wala siyang ganung grades,” Ray Bernard’s father said, reminiscing how his son was full of dreams and aspirations.   “Magkasundo na nga kami sa gusto niya, sa mangyayari sa buhay niya. Kaya nga sana ‘yung paunti-unti naming pinagsikapan, siya na sana ‘yung magpapatuloy. Wala na, eh,” he added. The police offered a P100,000 reward, courtesy of the office of Laguna Gov. Emilio Ramon "ER" Ejercito, for the criminals responsible for Ray Bernard’s death. The amount was raised to P300,000 with the office of Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo pitching in P200,000.   Indignation rally   Teachers, students and the whole UPLB community on Monday held an indignation rally against the of crimes happening in their place.   In four months a series of crimes have been committed in the town of Los Baños, student group Dakila UPLB chapter noted in a statement:  

• UPLB student, Given Grace Cebanico was raped and killed.

• Los Baños National High School student Rochel Geronda was also raped and killed.

• Ray Bernard Peñaranda was robbed and killed.

• Los Baños resident Rey Tamayo, 32, was also murdered just hours after Peñaranda.

The indignation rally was a “collective effort” among UPLB students and teachers and Los Baños residents, said Rally organizer Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo.   She estimated 3,500 people joined the rally.   “We want to say that there is still hope for the UPLB and the Los Baños community itself. There is still a room for improvement and it is everyone’s responsibility,” Lamentillo said.   Police chief sacked, 53 officers reassigned   After Peñaranda’s death, Los Baños Police Superintendent Dante Novicio was relieved from his post, with Major Conrad Basungsong assigned as the new chief of police.    Fifty-three other police officers from the Los Baños police station were reassigned to different parts of Laguna, provincial director Sr. Supt. Gilberto Cruz said in an interview with GMA News Online.   "Parang kulang ‘yung ginagawa na police visibility. Ngayon, ginawa namin para magsipag-sipag sila," said Cruz. — With Rouchelle Dinglasan/VS, GMA News