UPLB holds indignation rally for murdered student

UPDATED 5:30 p.m. LOS BAÑOS, Laguna — An indignation rally was held at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) campus on Friday to call for justice for the 19-year-old student who was found brutally killed on Tuesday. Hundreds of UPLB students, faculty, and staff gathered to light candles in front of the university gate at noon on Friday to pray for Given Grace Cebanico, whose bruised body was found handcuffed and gagged with a gunshot wound to the head three days earlier. Different organizations like the UPLB Chorale Ensemble, UPLB Lisieux Music Ministry, and the Campus Crusade for Christ sang songs for Cebanico.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Birthdays without her Narynne Amansec, Cebanico's former roommate, told the crowd that gathered for the victim: “Hindi niyo man kilala personally si Given, salamat po. Salamat kasi kahit paano naiibsan ang kalungkutan namin na maraming nakikiramay, na maraming nagmamahal kay Given." Even after learning about Cebanico's death, Amansec said she would randomly send text messages to the victim's mobile phone saying, “Nami-miss na kita." Amansec recalled celebrating her birthdays with Cebanico. “Ngayon, hindi ko na alam kung paano ise-celebrate yung birthday ko next year," Amansec said. “Kung alam kong ganito ang mangyayari, mas maraming beses ko pa sanang sinabi na mahal na mahal kita, Given," she added. Buddy system SOAD Director Mark Lester Chico said the incident sent a very strong message to the university community. “Gusto nating sabihin na dapat sama-sama," he said. “Wag nating ipain ang ating sarili sa kapahamakan dahil gusto nating mag-isa. Hindi pwedeng hayaan lang." Chico also said the incident placed the university at the forefront of the fight against injustice. “Muling pinagkakaisa yung buong kumunidad para sa panawagan sa hustisya at para sa kampanya sa mas maigting na seguridad ng bawat isa," he said. The last incident of rape in UPLB happened 18 years ago when Antonio Sanchez, then mayor of Calauan, raped and murdered Eileen Sarmenta. “Ngayon, may responsibilidad ang bawat isang dormmate, ang bawat isang roommate, ang bawat isang kaklase na pangalagaan ang bawat isa," Chico said.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Suspects in Custody Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Virginia Cardenas said both suspects are already in custody. A report from dzBB said the suspected mastermind in the abduction and murder of Cebanico will be presented at a press conference in Laguna on Friday afternoon. The suspected mastermind, bank security guard Lester Ivan Lopez Rivera, was arrested in Floridablanca, Pampanga, a day after authorities arrested another suspect, tricycle driver Percival de Guzman. According to a report on GMA News TV, both Rivera and De Guzman face possible murder charges. The report said De Guzman had pointed to Rivera as the mastermind of the crime. The police are still determining if Cebanico was raped. However, Laguna police chief Senior Superintendent Gilert Cruz said there were indications that the victim was molested. Cebanico's remains have been brought to her hometown in Binangonan in Rizal province. - with a report from Anna Mae Lamentillo/VVP/YA, GMA News