Tighter security on UP campus urged
The mother of University of the Philippines student Lordei Camille Hina who was seriously injured when she was attacked by robbers inside the Vinzons Hall has called for tighter security inside the UP campus as the victim remains unconscious and in critical condition at a hospital.
Calling the incident an “eyeopener,” Connie Hina said there must be improvement on security on the 493-hectare UP Diliman campus.
She pointed out that with the life of her daughter, Lordei Camille hanging in the balance, parents need to be assured that their children are studying and staying in a safe place.
This developed as the UP administration announced that more security personnel would be deployed near the Vinzons Hall where Hina was clubbed and stabbed before being robbed on Wednesday.
Hina, a fourth year political science major, was a volunteer of the University Student Council when she was attacked by two young men pretending to be interested in running a booth at next week’s Diliman Fair.
At that time, Hina was at the USC office inside Vinzons Hall when the suspects struck her on the head with a trophy and even pierced her head with an ice pick.
In a statement released yesterday, the UP administration said there would be more UP Diliman policemen especially in the vicinity of the student center “in order to rebuild confidence.”
The UP administration also expressed their sadness and sympathy for the Hina family.
“(We) are profoundly affected and deeply saddened by the incident that happened at the USC office,” the university said as it pledged to continue to support Hina as it monitors her condition.
The victim’s mother said the injuries her daughter sustained might have affected her sensory perception, consciousness, sight, speech, motor skills and even her memory.
Hina remains in critical condition at the intensive care unit of the Capitol Medical Center with skull fragments still embedded in her brain.
In a press conference yesterday, Connie said a CT scan showed that the ice pick pierced her daughter’s left temple and came out on the other side of her head.
“I still believe in divine healing,” the mother said calmly, adding that surgery might do more damage at this point.
In a meeting last week presided by UP Diliman chancellor Caesar Saloma with the Committee on Security and Welfare, it was decided to implement a stricter ID and bag check by guards who will be equipped with metal detectors.
The stricter measures will be carried out at the entrances of all colleges, dormitories and buildings on the UP Diliman campus.
The UP statement posted on its website said the Committee on Security and Welfare would be assessing current security arrangements inside the vast student campus.
On Thursday, the arrested suspect identified as Carlo Pelayo was subjected to inquest proceedings for robbery, serious physical injuries and illegal possession of a deadly weapon while his cohort remains at large.
