Press Release
September 6, 2007

GERALDINE PALMA CASE:
Villar bats for increased children protection

"We cannot allow such grossly repulsive and infuriating crimes against children to disturb our peace and insult our justice system," said Senate President Manny Villar as he asked the Philippine National Police to "put a closure" to the case of a seven-year-old kidnap, rape and murder victim who was found stuffed in a traveling bag on Aug. 16 or 20 days ago.

"This bestiality which preyed on an innocent and helpless child must certainly receive the strongest punishment under the law, leaving no offender scot-free," reiterated Villar, president of the Nacionalista Party.

The victim, identified as Geraldine "Din-Din" Palma, disappeared on Aug. 11 in Pasig City, along with her nanny, Maritess Ontog, whose whereabouts have not been known. It was found out that Ontog knew the brother of one of the suspects, and has used different birth dates in her NBI clearances which she has secured thrice in January this year.

While the police have rounded up a number of suspects, the brains behind this shameful crime remain on the loose, stressed Villar, following the alleged involvement of the victim's nanny in the crime.

"We cannot allow any further delay in the arrest of the masterminds of this gruesome plot, the twists and turns of which seem to be taking our justice system for a ride," lamented Villar.

Villar said Republic Act 9231 mandates the special protection of children from all forms of abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation and discrimination, and other conditions prejudicial to their development including child labor and its worst forms.

Teresita Ang See, founder of the Movement for Restoration of Peace and Order, said that an unidentified man called up Palma's father on Aug. 12, demanding a P10 million ransom for his daughter's release. After a series of negotiations, the amount was reduced to P245,000 but the victim's father no longer heard from the suspects.

A witness identified only as "Teresa" recently surfaced to provide information to the police on how Palma was raped and killed.

The Manila Police District said it will use the witness' sworn statement to link suspects to the murder.

Teresa said she was walking near the seashore in Isla Puting Bato in Tondo on the night of August 13 when she spotted three suspects who took turns in raping the victim before they choked her with an electrical cord. The suspects then stuffed the body in the bag before dumping it and covering it with water lilies, after which they went on a drinking spree and even boasted of their deed.

Meanwhile, Villar filed Senate Bill 248 entitled, "An Act to promote crime awareness and security in campuses" which seeks to require schools to develop security procedures and policies, report crimes on campuses, and address violent crimes in their vicinities.

"The cooperation of schools in curbing crimes especially against their students and children must likewise be heightened in the wake of these incidents," Villar added.

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