DILG chief Benjamin Abalos Jr. at Tuguegarao City Hall. (Photo courtesy of DILG)
MANILA, Philippines — Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. has ordered Philippine National Police (PNP) to provide protection and security to Althea Vivien Mendoza and her family.
Mendoza is a college student who was shot and assaulted by her classmate in Tuguegarao.
In a statement on Saturday evening when he went to the victim’s province, Abalos told Mendoza’s family that he would seek justice for her.
“Kaya ako nagpunta rito, para dalawin ang pamilya ni Althea at tiyakin na mabibigyan ng katarungan ang nangyari sa kanya, and to assure the family of their security,” he said.
(The reason why I went here is to visit Althea’s family and to ensure justice will be rendered after what happened to her, and the family of their security.)
Based on police reports and as seen on a video that went viral, suspect Kristian Rafael Ramos shot Mendoza twice.
Then, he whipped her head with a pistol 11 times at the parking lot of Saint Paul University Philippines in November 13.
Abalos said the victim is confined at Cagayan United Medical Doctors Hospital, where she is recuperating from the injuries she sustained from the attack.
To help with her medical bills, Abalos said Department of Interior and Local Government is already coordinating with Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office for donations.
Ramos, on the other hand, is facing charges of frustrated murder and violation of Omnibus Election Code on gun ban.
He was temporarily released after a local court allowed him to post P236,000 bail on November 15.
Out of sum, the suspect posted P200,000 bail for frustrated murder and P36,000 for violating the election code.
Police Regional Office 2 spokesperson Major Sharon Mallinllin told INQUIRER.net that the bail order was issued by Tuguegarao City Regional Trial Court Branch 5.