'Wheels of justice may turn slowly, but they continue to grind' -- CHR

The wheels of justice might turn slowly at times, but they will continue to grind for as long as people fight for justice, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) declared.

The CHR, in a statement, cited the case of 19-year-old college student Laesybill Lim Almonacid, who was sexually abused and killed on Nov. 2, 2011 in Barangay Bascaran, Daraga, Albay.

After 12 long years, the perpetrators have finally been arrested by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Albay (PNP-CIDG-Albay) last Jan. 11.

The arrested suspects were Laesybill’s own uncles -- Omar Almonacid and Stephen Almonacid – who have been charged with rape with homicide.

The CHR paid tribute to PNP-CIDG-Albay for renewing and enhancing its investigation that led its agents to a credible witness. “Prior to the arrest of the suspects, the case was already considered as a 'cold case' due to lack of witnesses and evidence," it said.

The discovery of a credible witness and the unearthing of other pieces of evidence prompted Legazpi City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Joseph Raymond Destajo Borja to issue the arrest order last January. The suspects were apprehended and detained.

"The resolution of this case demonstrates the significant role of every individual in attaining justice and upholding the rule of law for all," the CHR said.

"Sustained action and protection of witnesses is necessary from the government, and the principles of seeking accountability is equally important from citizens. Justice calls for the fundamental indivisibility of these factors, akin to the nature of human rights,” it stressed.

Aside from CIDG-Albay, the CHR also lauded the local police and the Legazpi City RTC for taking the necessary actions to obtain justice for Laesybill and her family.

"We acknowledge the challenges and constraints that come with reopening ‘cold cases,’ including revisiting old wounds caused to the family. The Commission thanks them not only for cooperating with law enforcement, but more importantly, for bravely coming forward," the CHR also emphasized in its statement.

It reiterated that the commission “deplores all acts of violence and harassment against women, especially when it involves vulnerable minors and whose perpetrators are their own relatives.”

"We hope that this dedication may be sustained and replicated in different parts of the country so we may address the prevailing culture of impunity worsened by cases of human rights violation awaiting justice," it said.

TAGS: #CHR #Laesybill Almonacid #Wheels of justice