Torture

Last Monday, I had to take a break of sorts, as I couldn’t believe the events that have been uncovered, leading to the abduction, rape and murder of Julie Ann Rodelas, a part time talent of ABS-CBN. The apparent mastermind, her friend, if one should even use that word. The motive, gossip. The goal, to teach a lesson. Exactly what kind of lesson does abducting, raping and killing a woman leave when she is already dead? This was a torture session, plain and simple. The good thing is, Julie Ann was still clutching an important piece of evidence in her hand, when her body was found lying in a gutter in Cubao.

Apparently mad at the alleged gossip that Julie Ann was spreading about her, Althea Altamirano confides to her boyfriend, Fernando Quiambao Jr., that she wanted to teach her “friend” a lesson. What she wanted was to have her “friend” crippled. Yes, that’s what she ONLY wanted. Quiambao offers to do the operation, as he apparently knew people who could pull it off with no problems. What those supposed problems were, I do not know. So they hatch a plan to set-up Rodelas with the help of Altamirano. She is abducted and thrown into a vehicle, blindfolded. But the first mistake, for everyone including her, was that she heard the name of Quiambao mentioned. That sealed her fate. She was then brought to a safehouse in Culiat, Quezon City, in a Muslim compound as Quiambao obviously had friends and connections there. The now infamous quote that “We Muslims have a sense of gratitude. Show us kindness and we will repay you with our life.” Kindness in this case were expensive liquor (which if I’m not mistaken is forbidden in Islam) and good food from Quiambao. So now, these Muslims will abduct, rape and kill for you (which I also know to be forbidden in Islam!) How nice. Take note. Might want to incorporate that in your teachings. Maybe a whole new chapter on how to repay kindness. Goodness.

The evil that men do. Indeed, all that, just for gossip? And from a friend? What warrants further investigation is this obvious criminal syndicate that has been exposed, headed by the kind liquor and food giving Quiambao! Is this the first crime that this group has committed? I sincerely doubt that. I mean, criminals in his pocket, safehouses in Culiat, Quezon City and Apalit, Pampanga? You be the judge. Yet another reason for bringing back the death penalty. The Palace has already said that it is not keen on bringing capital punishment back, but to find ways to improve the justice system, where legal loopholes still exist. How fortunate it is to be a criminal in the Philippines, don’t you think? Where confessed criminals still have a chance to life, while their victims are already dead!

I commend the police for a speedy solution to this particular case. They read the clues that Julie Ann Rodelas left behind very well, and made the correct moves and arrests. Dead men do tell tales. We just have to listen. I only hope those still at large are caught soon, if not killed while shooting it out with the police!

I may have to take another break!