Love triangle, carjacking eyed in murder of law student

Investigators are looking into a love triangle or outright carjacking-murder as the motives behind the brutal abduction and murder of a law student in Cagayan de Oro last weekend. Sun-Star Cagayan de Oro (www.sunstar.com.ph) reported Wednesday that these are the emerging motives following initial data-gathering by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). However, the NBI did not give additional details. Local officials in the province had ordered a full investigation into the incident. This developed as law students, members of the legal profession, and other members of the Xavier University (XU)-Ateneo de Cagayan community prepared to hold a Mass and Prayer Rally at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Participants in the Mass-prayer rally were to call for justice for the "brutal and senseless" killing of XU-College of Law fourth year student Tamtam Edpan. Edpan, a 26-year-old from Jasaan, Misamis Oriental, was abducted last Thursday. His body was found Saturday at a remote area in Taraka, Lanao del Sur. His tunda-green Mitsubishi Adventure was nowhere to be found. Law student organizations under the coalition dubbed "Justice for Tamtam Movement (JTM)," which is spearheading the event, said the Holy Mass celebration will be held inside the XU Chapel while the prayer rally will be initiated at the Magsaysay Park. JTM is comprised of the Association of Law Students (ALS), Fraternitas Scintilla Legis (FSL), Portia Sorority (Portia), Epsilon Beta Kappa Society (EBK), Tandu Legis Fraternitas (Tandu), and Xavier University Center for Legal Assistance (XUCLA), among others. XU president Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin said the "graduation day revelries" last Saturday was "marred by the distressing news about the senseless killing of one of our law students, Tamtam Edpan." "It is, indeed, deeply regrettable that this tragedy pointlessly ended the life and promise of one of our young students, whose dreams and hopes we nurtured and shared while he was with us here in Xavier," he said. "We strongly denounce this terrible act of senseless violence that subverts life and undermines the efforts of all who have been working for authentic and lasting peace in Mindanao," added Fr. Villarin. Edpan graduated last March 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, Major in Economics, and was once a president of the XU Glee Club and a member of the Vocis Ateneae. He was to graduate next year. XU-Law Dean Raul Villanueva said his entire college is "deeply saddened and vehemently condemns the brutal killing" of Edpan. "In behalf of the College of Law community, may I add to the outpouring of sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Tamtam during this moment of great bereavement, with our prayers for consolation and comfort," the dean said. "We, likewise, call on the authorities to work relentlessly, leaving no stones unturned, to ferret out the truth and give justice to this sinister murder," he said. FSL for its part issued a "Letter Condemnation and Awakening" that contained how their brother, Edpan, was a "loyal, kind, and generous" person with a "good nature that distinguishes him in any group or crowd." For this fraternity, all who have walked with their brother can "assert with certainty that he is one of the most righteous individuals they have ever met." - GMANews.TV