Given Grace's mom renews call for justice

Hours before slain University of the Philippines Los Baños student Given Grace Cebanico was scheduled to be laid to rest, her mother renewed her call for justice and for improved security in schools so other parents would not feel her grief. In a radio interview Tuesday, Marlene Cebanico said that while she trusts that justice will be served soon, she urged the Philippine National Police to thwart criminals preying on students. "Alam ko ang hustisya ay makakamit sa lalong mas mabilis na paraan at panahon... Sana itong nangyari sa aking anak ay hindi mauulit, kung kailangan magdagdag ng tanod, sana mangyari yan para ang naramdaman ko hindi maramdaman ng iba," Mrs. Cebanico told dzBB radio. On her Facebook account, Mrs. Cebanico uploaded an image of a black ribbon with the message "Justice for Given." Given Grace is scheduled to be laid to rest at 1 p.m. Tuesday.

Lavander and white Mrs. Cebanico also thanked those who lent their support to her family at this time. "Nagpapasalamat ako sa tao na nagtutulong. Nakikita ng Diyos... Diyos ang bahala magpala sa lahat na tumutulong sa pamilya namin (I thank those who helped us during this time. God sees everything, God will reward those who helped us)," she said. A separate report by dzBB's Glen Juego said many people continued to go to the wake in Binangonan, Rizal wore lavender and white. Mrs. Cebanico said violet or lavender was Given Grace's favorite color. Tragedy at UPLB The body of Given Grace, 19, was found last week near the UPLB area. She was found handcuffed and gagged, with a gunshot wound to the head and bruises to the body. Police said there were indications she may have been sexually assaulted. At least two suspects have been arrested for the incident — bank security guard Lester Ivan Rivera and tricycle driver Percival de Guzman. The Given Grace case is reminiscent of the Sarmenta-Gomez case, a rape-slay case, also in Los Baños, that reached national headlines in the early 90s. The victims — Eileen Sarmenta, who was raped and murdered, and Allan Gomez, murdered — were also UPLB students. Six people were found guilty of the crime, including then-Calauan Mayor Antonio Sanchez. — RSJ, GMA News