Facebook friends cry for justice

FRIENDS of slain university student Ryan Ray Merencillo hope that his death won’t be swept under the rug.

They opened a Facebook page “Justice for Ryan Ray Merencillo” and are mounting a benefit concert to raise funds to offer a reward for the arrest of the perpetrator.

They expressed dissatisfaction over the pace of the police investigation, which is still trying to identify the young man and woman who fled on board a silver Honda sedan after the shooting.

The concert is set for 8 p.m. on April 27, a Friday, at the Handuraw Cafe in barangay Lahug, Cebu City. Five to six bands will perform at the concert.

Merencillo, a 24-year-old freelance graphic artist, was shot in the abdomen during a quarrel that erupted between his group and other customers who were drinking at dawn in C24, a convenience store in barangay Capitol Site, Cebu City, on March 25.

He died of complications from the gunshot wound on April 1 in the hospital.

A cartographic sketch was produced by the police based on an initial description of one of the friends, but more details were provided in the website by other witnesses.

One entry in the Facebook page goes:

“This is the gunman’s description: He wore a black shirt and shorts. Medium height, about 5’7.” He was with someone who drove a silver Honda VTEC VTI ’97-’98 model. He was with one other male and two females and may have been under the influence of drugs. The shooting happened outside C24 Capitol Site on March 25, 2012. early in the morning. If you know someone who matches this description, please come forward with the information and clear your conscience.”

One artist friend promised to come up with a better sketch of the shooter’s face.

Rex Fernandez, a classmate of the victim, said the pace of the police investigation was very slow and that he wanted to bring in the NBI.

Homicide investigators of the Cebu City police said they were checking “leads” on the ownership of the vehicle.

Merencillo was a third year advertising student of the University of San Carlos-Talamban Campus.

His teachers said he showed talent.

“I saw his potential. He had good design, was unique, creative,” said Marie Tabotabo, a teacher.

“Sayang kaayo because he died a senseless death. He was young and talented.” Rhea Ruth V. Rosell, Correspondent