Slain Ifugao student leader, councilor cited

By Jeremy M. Gawongna

MAYOYAO, Ifugao – A civic-minded student and a councilor who both lost their lives to a deranged man have been cited here for their selflessness.

Lolita Maguiwe’s role as student leader and auditor of Mayoyao, Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista Integrated Organization, a registered organization of the Ifugao State University has helped the people and institution she loved.

The 23-year-old Lolit wanted to help her family by working on a summer job while spending her summer vacation in Barangay Guinihon in the undeveloped town of Mayoyao.

She was working with her sister and other laborers until that fateful day after the May 10 election when a mentally ill man came to their work place and suddenly struck her sister’s nape with a bolo that caused her death.

Shocked by what she saw, Lolit fled but the guy ran after her and struck her twice on the back part of her head that eventually ended her life.

Her aunt who witnessed the incident kept on screaming that prompted re-electionist councilor Samuel Mangetag and her Fr. George Maguiwe to go to the rescue but immediately met the mentally ill guy who hacked them.

Mangetag died eight days after the incident while Maguiwe had to have intensive medication.

To negotiate with the assailant, the responding police officers shot him on the foot when he tried to attack them with the bolo. Not minding the wound, he persisted in attacking them forcing the cops to shoot him dead.

Now, his victims are remembered with fondness. Mangetag was cited for his heroism and bravery as a government official and public servant.

Lolit’s simplicity and determination to excel in the academe was also noted. She graduated Midwifery and passed the April 2008 Midwifery Licensure Examination.

She shifted to pursue AB Political Science but ended taking up Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE). She told her parents at home before the incident that she planned to travel back to IFSU on May 25 to enrol.

Lolit was also determined to serve. She stood in behalf of the MAALIO pleading for financial assistance from both government and non-government officials just so that the construction of the MAALIO Office in IFSU would be completed.

MAALIO president Willy Pinagod expressed sentiment over Lolit’s fate and commended her for her invaluable support on programs of the organization.

“I attended her burial on May 14, and I couldn’t fix my eyes on her and her sister. I could hardly believe that someone who upheld MAALIO’s programs would die that way,” Pinagod said.

Rachel Guman, Lolit’s neighbour in Agang-ang near IFSU, recounted seeking help from medical students so she could monitor her blood pressure and Lolit unselfishly extended her free services.

Board Member elect Ricky Dulnuan, Lolit’s close friend, said she wished him the best of luck and helped his mom in the distribution of campaign paraphernalia. “Accordingly, she informed her mother that she will go to Bunhian, Aguinaldo to see me on that fateful day.”

Her friend Veron Monhinag said she was with Dulnuan when they went to Guinihon for the campaign. Monhinag discussed with Lolit the extent of support they would give to their friend Dulnuan. Both agreed to celebrate if their friend wins.

Another friend Alverge Batuna said he met her two weeks before the election. “She bid farewell telling me not to forget them,” Batuna said.