Slain UST female graduate laid to rest

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines – Cyrish Magalang, a 20-year-old cum laude Tourism graduate of the University of Santo Tomas who was brutally killed in Bacoor City last Oct. 31, was buried yesterday afternoon in Las Piñas City.

Superintendent Romano Cardiño, Bacoor City police chief, said at least 30 policemen were deployed to secure the funeral, including the traffic.

Thousands of friends, relatives, townmates and schoolmates flocked to the Golden Heaven Memorial Park in Las Piñas to pay their last respects to Magalang and attend her interment.

Magalang’s aunt Merlyn thanked the Bacoor police for the speedy resolution of her niece’s killing.

“We are happy that justice was served before she was finally laid to rest,” she said.

The Bacoor police and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Cavite filed charges of robbery with homicide and attempted rape last Monday against brothers Rolin, 27, and Roel Gacitas, 24, who had owned up to the killing.

“Even though the tests showed negative results (for rape), Rolin admitted that he managed to pull down Cyrish’s shorts before he stabbed her 49 times to keep her quiet. It was an element in the filing of attempted rape against them,” said Senior Superintendent John Bulalacao, Cavite police director.

Rolin Gacitas had admitted being under the influence of illegal drugs when he robbed and stabbed Magalang with a screwdriver and smashed her head with a piece of rock. He and his brother were arrested 48 hours after the killing.

Tarpaulins with words of support for the Magalang family and calling for the re-imposition of the death penalty were displayed during the funeral.

– Ed Amoroso, Arnell Ozaeta