VACC to form task force in Singapore

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) will establish a task force in Singapore in connection with the trial of Filipina maid Guen Aguilar for the Sept. 7 murder of fellow Filipina Jane La Puebla.

Bayombong Bishop Ramon Villena, meanwhile, urged the government to ensure justice for La Puebla, 26, a native of this landlocked province.

Villena described La Puebla’s killing as "very inhuman" and "beyond comprehension." Her body was dismembered.

Dante Jimenez, VACC chairman, said they are now working on the creation of Task Force La Puebla-Aguilar in anticipation of the full-blown trial of Aguilar.

Jimenez and Lauro Vizconde, also one of the VACC founding members, attended the burial of La Puebla in her late father’s hometown of Bagabag last Saturday.

Jimenez was among those who fetched La Puebla’s remains from Singapore.

"We will be there (in Singapore) for Jane and Guen. We will see to it that there will be no miscarriage of justice," he said.

Jimenez said the task force will monitor the trial and if necessary, will extend legal assistance to the concerned parties.

"We want to (give assurances) that the interests of both parties (La Puebla’s and Aguilar’s families) would get fair and equal attention," he said.

The murder suspect, Aguilar, 29, a mother of two, hails from Tagudin, Ilocos Sur.

Local human rights lawyer Ernesto Salunat said he would join Jimenez and other VACC officials in going to Singapore sometime next week to observe the ongoing investigation in the La Puebla case.

Earlier, Salunat, a former Northern Luzon governor of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, said he was willing to act as the legal counsel of La Puebla’s family in the murder case.