GMA to PNP: Solve Campbell slay case immediately

"Solve that immediately," is what President Arroyo wants her police chief to accomplish regarding the grisly murder of US Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said those were the exact words of Mrs. Arroyo to Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Calderon upon her arrival Saturday afternoon from Hainan Island in China where she keynoted the 6th Boao Forum for Asia.

"That’s the urgent order of the President to the authorities," Ermita said.

Mrs. Arroyo issued the order as authorities got a clearer picture of what caused the death of Campbell.

Police also yesterday identified the suspect as Juan Dontugan, 25, a woodcarver. He was the one reportedly seen by a 13-year-old boy carrying Campbell’s backpack at about the same time she disappeared.

Police said the suspect was 5’7" in height, medium-built, fair complexioned, and with straight hair.

Although a resident of Batad, Dontugan was reportedly staying with his grandfather Apo Bugyaw in barangay Cruz in La Trinidad, Benguet at the time of the murder.

It was not clear if he was the same suspect described earlier as the husband of a vendor who sold a bottle of softdrink to Campbell before she made her way to Batad.

At Malacañang, Ermita said Mrs. Arroyo, upon her arrival, immediately sought an update on the case from him and Calderon.

He said Mrs. Arroyo stated that she wanted swift justice for Campbell as well as an assurance that the Philippines would remain a safe place for US Peace Corps members and other foreigners involved in voluntary civic works.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said local authorities have been directed to come up with some procedures to ensure the protection of foreign workers, especially those in remote municipalities.

"I’m sure that we have lessons learned as a result of this incident and the necessary measures to protect volunteers would be undertaken by local authorities," he said.

US Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter last week met with the President at the Palace on the same day soldiers found Campbell’s body in a dry creek, partially covered with soil, gravel and grass.

In Lagawe, Ifugao, Gov. Glenn Prudenciano said the indigenous people of Banaue were incapable of committing "such a dastardly deed" as the murder of Campbell.

"I know our indigenous people in Banaue, the intrepid Ifugaos are not like that and I don’t believe any of them could have done such a dastardly deed, if the cause of her death was indeed foul play," Prudenciano said.

"As of now, officials are toying with the angles of foul play or accident," Prudenciano added.

Initial evidence showed Campbell was bludgeoned to death. Police said the principal suspect, who is at large, is the husband of a woman who sold a bottle of Coke to Campbell before she disappeared.

Prudenciano admitted Campbell’s grisly death would affect tourism in the mountain enclave, but stressed the damage would not be serious.

Owners of hotels, restaurants, and other establishments in Banaue have expressed fears of an economic backlash in the wake of Campbell’s death.

"Yes, undoubtedly there will be an effect, but not as big as the report may suggest, as it is only an isolated incident," Prudenciano said.

In fact, he said, there is no need to beef up the police force in the Banaue rice terraces and that new tourism guidelines like banning solo treks would be enough to prevent future attacks on tourists.

"What could be ascertained is that Miss Campbell had gone out by herself to Batad (village)," he said.

"So we are implementing these new guidelines for visitors to the Banaue rice terraces to prevent any repeat of the incident and as added security to the hikers against accident or foul play along the way," Prudenciano said.

The body of the 40-year-old Campbell was discovered half buried in a creek in Batad bolstering beliefs of foul play.

She was last seen on Easter Sunday on April 8 on a tricycle on her way to Batad for a trekking expedition to Banaue rice terraces.

Her disappearance came to light when she missed her appointments in Manila. A masseuse Campbell contracted before her trip to Batad said the Peace Corps volunteer did not show up at her rented hut.

Travel advisory

The US embassy is now considering a travel advisory for its Peace Corps volunteers in the Philippines in the wake of the murder of Campbell.

Ambassador Kristie Kenney told reporters on the sidelines of the Earth Day celebration at the Quezon City Memorial Circle that issuance of a travel advisory could be a way of ensuring a "strong reservoir of Peace Corps volunteers" in the Philippines.

"We haven’t issued anything but we will obviously be assessing and thinking about how we can best make sure they are safe," she pointed out when asked if there was a need for the issuance of a travel advisory.

She stressed the US government values the safety of its Peace Corps volunteers around the world.

There have been around 8,000 US Peace Corps volunteers in the country since 1961.

"The security of our volunteers is so important. They live throughout the Philippines, their families, and communities," Kenney said. "We’re always looking at their safety and security, and we’ll continue to do that."

Kenney also revealed that the US Peace Corps held memorial services for Campbell at the US Embassy last Saturday.

"It was a wonderful time to talk about a vibrant young woman who left a very comfortable life in the United States to come here because she wanted to make a difference," Kenney said. "She loved the Philippines, she learned Tagalog. It’s wonderful," she said.

She declined to disclose information on the autopsy on Campbell’s remains.

"I’m sorry it has been very hard for all of us. There are many things to consider, first there’s the death certificate to be done. There are many things to consider in the procedure and we’re trying to determine what caused her death," she said.

Nevertheless, Kenney commended the Philippine authorities for being "very cooperative" in resolving the case.

"The police are investigating this very thoughtfully, carefully. The US stands ready to assist in that," she said.

"Julia was a very beautiful young woman who loved this country. If you’ve seen the pictures of her smiles, she has an extraordinary smile," Kenney said.

In her weblog, Campbell wrote that she "quit the rat race in New York" at 38 for a new life. She had been working in the Philippines for almost two years and learned to speak the language. – With Charlie Lagasca, Katherine Adraneda, Cecille Suerte Felipe