A senseless death

RAIN OF FIRE
Cesar G. Bonilla

LAOAG CITY -- The death of Eddie Gregorio, favorite son of Barangay. Calambeg, Piddig, Ilocos Norte who was a lawyer and scholar, has shocked the community of peace-loving citizens in Ilocos Norte.

His colleagues in the legal profession specially the president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Ilocos Norte Chapter mourned the demise of a good friend who was killed night of June 12 here by alleged hired killers.

A humble and idealistic fellow, he pursued his ambition in different branches of knowledge but unfortunately, his colorful life was silenced permanently at the age of 28. He left the world with people who have known him crying and demanding justice for his violent death.

The last time I saw Gregorio was during graduation exercises of Northwestern University where he was a recipient of the prestigious honor and recognition being a summa cum laude as master of arts in public administration at the Vedasto J. Samonte school of graduate studies in the same university.

He was also a recipient of the most coveted award being one of the most treasured sons of Piddig on the occasion of the town fiesta where prominent personalities were invited to witness awarding of plaques of recognition to outstanding achievers of this well-known municipality.

Piddig had been enshrined in history as the site of the famous Basi Revolt aside from the fact that the courage and patriotic spirit of Piddigenos enamored visiting dignitaries and foreign visitors from different parts of the globe. I cannot imagine why a man of God like Eddie was the target of this barbaric act of violent killing.

For all I know, our locality has been tagged as peaceful and worthy to be the haven of God-fearing Ilocanos. If lawyers, policemen, politicians, and other influential people are victims of criminal elements, how can the civilian populace protect itself from blood-thirsty criminals or parasites whose despicable mission is to heighten the agony of loved ones of poor victims?

The gory scenes in the province must come to an end. The justice system must be used for peaceful resolution of these heartbreaking occurrences. Let us pray that justice be served to all victims and relatives of violence and barbaric killings. Condolence to the Gregorio family.