TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines- A women’s right group condemned the rape and slay of a student of Cagayan State University, saying the case is no different to many cases recorded in the country.
In a statement released by Maricris Laylo, Cagayan coordinator for Gabriela-Youth, the group said the raping of Julie Ann Julian, 20, of Lal-lo town proved the “grave” rape culture, impunity and injustice towards women in the Philippines.
Julian was found lifeless on July 25, hours after her relatives reported to police that she did not go home from work the day before.
She was second year student of Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration in CSU Aparri campus.
“Ito ay pagpapakita lamang na hanggang ngayon ay tinitignan pa rin ang kababaihan bilang sexual object at tinatanaw sila bilang mahina,” Gabriela-Youth said, citing a data from Philippine Commission on Women that revealed 1 out of 10 women in the country experiences rape and sexual harassment.
“Ang patriyarkal na pananaw sa kababaihan ay dulot ng bulok na sistema ng lipunan na nararapat baguhin. Hangga’t ganito ang uri ng lipunan na mayroon tayo ay patuloy na makararanas ng pagsasamantala ang kababaihan,” the statement added.
The group also chided on the rape jokes of President Rodrigo Duterte, saying this could be criminals’ license to commit crime against women.
“Sa kabila ng karahasang dinaranas ng kababaihan, nagawa pang biro ng Pangulong Duterte ang rape na talagang nakababahala dahil maaring magsilbi itong lisensya sa pag-gawa ng krimen laban sa kababaihan. Ang ganitong usapin ay seryoso at nararapat na bigyang pansin subalit rape joke ang naging tugon ng administrasyon,” it added.
The group also joined the clamor of the public in bringing into the justice the suspects. Northernforum.net
