Campbell partly to blame for own tragedy- DOJ
04/19/2007 | 05:13 PM
US Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell whose decomposing body was found in a dry creek in a remote village in Banaue, Ifugao, Wednesday could partly be blamed for her own tragedy, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said Thursday.
At a press briefing, Gonzalez said that based on initial findings of police investigators, foul play seemed to have attended Campbell's death.
"I'm quite sure there was foul play there. Why was she buried that way? It appears that she was buried in haste, in a shallow grave," he said.
Gonzalez said Campbell might have become careless and could have courted trouble when she decided to take a walk in a remote mountain area all alone.
"She was a little irresponsible. Why would she walk alone in this remote mountain? I think, [if she had a companion], it would not have happened. She was careless that she took a lonely walk in this deserted area. Maybe she was confident [of being familiar with the countryside]," he said.
He said he has already alerted the National Bureau of Investigation to help the police in the technical aspects of the probe, but maintained the bureau will not step in unless its assistance is sought.
"We will not interfere with the police investigation till necessary. I have alerted the NBI on it already. But logically the NBI should do this because we have the technical capability," Gonzalez said.
Campbell, 40, of Fairfax, Virginia, supposedly went on a hike on April 8 in Batad village, where she had planned to view the scenic Banaue rice terraces. She was among the 126 US Peace Corps volunteers in the Philippines. - GMANews.TV
At a press briefing, Gonzalez said that based on initial findings of police investigators, foul play seemed to have attended Campbell's death.
"I'm quite sure there was foul play there. Why was she buried that way? It appears that she was buried in haste, in a shallow grave," he said.
Gonzalez said Campbell might have become careless and could have courted trouble when she decided to take a walk in a remote mountain area all alone.
"She was a little irresponsible. Why would she walk alone in this remote mountain? I think, [if she had a companion], it would not have happened. She was careless that she took a lonely walk in this deserted area. Maybe she was confident [of being familiar with the countryside]," he said.
He said he has already alerted the National Bureau of Investigation to help the police in the technical aspects of the probe, but maintained the bureau will not step in unless its assistance is sought.
"We will not interfere with the police investigation till necessary. I have alerted the NBI on it already. But logically the NBI should do this because we have the technical capability," Gonzalez said.
Campbell, 40, of Fairfax, Virginia, supposedly went on a hike on April 8 in Batad village, where she had planned to view the scenic Banaue rice terraces. She was among the 126 US Peace Corps volunteers in the Philippines. - GMANews.TV
READER'S FEEDBACK:
From: "karl cadorna"
Sent: Sunday, April 22, 2007 12:04 PM
The statement made by the justice secretary is really out of this world, to describe it is very hard. How can you blame Ms. Campbell for her death? This old man really needs to retire from his position the soonest. He is suffering from second childhood or as simple as a mental case would be defined "delusion of grandeur." He is a
waste of the Philippine society. How can an educated man and also a government official make a statement such as that? He really reflects the true identity of the Philippine government, he is such shame for us Filipinos when he could just offer sympathy and help to pursue the killer of Ms.Campbell.
From: "pinoy LA"
Sent: Friday, April 20, 2007 2:37 AM
Why does Justice Gonzales has to blame the late Julia Campbell? i thought he is a JUSTICE ,his brain was too small for blaming the victim's carelessness,she don't want that to happened to herself.Please tell GONZALES just zip his mouth , be thankful that he is in good position now which i think he doesn't deserved.
Also,How did GONZALEZ became a justice? He should just be in Divisoria and sell fishball or probably BALUT at night because of his big nonsense talking mouth, shame on him for being my kababayan.
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 9:31 PM
Sobra na si Sec Gonzales, nakuha pa niyang sisihin si Julia Campbell. Malaki ang ginagastos ng gobyerno para sa tourism promotion tapos ganito pa ang mangyayari.
Dapat nga mag resign siya dahil wala siyang nagagawang mabuti at puro kahihiyan
ang dala niya para sa bayan.
From: "Aileen Clemente"
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 6:26 PM
Didn't his grandmother ever tell him to just shut up when he's got nothing good to say? Such insensitivity!
Sent: Sunday, April 22, 2007 12:04 PM
The statement made by the justice secretary is really out of this world, to describe it is very hard. How can you blame Ms. Campbell for her death? This old man really needs to retire from his position the soonest. He is suffering from second childhood or as simple as a mental case would be defined "delusion of grandeur." He is a
waste of the Philippine society. How can an educated man and also a government official make a statement such as that? He really reflects the true identity of the Philippine government, he is such shame for us Filipinos when he could just offer sympathy and help to pursue the killer of Ms.Campbell.
From: "pinoy LA"
Sent: Friday, April 20, 2007 2:37 AM
Why does Justice Gonzales has to blame the late Julia Campbell? i thought he is a JUSTICE ,his brain was too small for blaming the victim's carelessness,she don't want that to happened to herself.Please tell GONZALES just zip his mouth , be thankful that he is in good position now which i think he doesn't deserved.
Also,How did GONZALEZ became a justice? He should just be in Divisoria and sell fishball or probably BALUT at night because of his big nonsense talking mouth, shame on him for being my kababayan.
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 9:31 PM
Sobra na si Sec Gonzales, nakuha pa niyang sisihin si Julia Campbell. Malaki ang ginagastos ng gobyerno para sa tourism promotion tapos ganito pa ang mangyayari.
Dapat nga mag resign siya dahil wala siyang nagagawang mabuti at puro kahihiyan
ang dala niya para sa bayan.
From: "Aileen Clemente"
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 6:26 PM
Didn't his grandmother ever tell him to just shut up when he's got nothing good to say? Such insensitivity!
