Former newsman gives aid to murder victim, asks media to be prudent in reporting her death

JUSTICE TO THE BABY GIRL’S MOTHER. Businessman Noel de Luna, a former Naga newsman, coddles the young child of the victim in the latter’s wake in her home in Baao, Camarines Sur. ARNEL ECLARINAL

By Arnel Eclarinal, Correspondent BAAO, Camarines Sur --- Businessman Noel De Luna, a former newsman, flew from Manila to visit the wake of murdered victim Jeraldine Rapinan, 28, a single mother, of Barangay San Jose, this town. Rapinan was found lifeless, tied and handcuffed, at the roadside of San Fernando, Camarines Sur, last July 15, by a passerby at 6:00 in the morning. Her body bore several stab wounds, and believed to be strangled which may have been the possible cause of her death. A unified team of investigators from the Camarines Sur Police Office, from the San Fernando and Baao Municipal Police offices, are still investigating and gathering evidences to pin down the culprit/s behind the murder. Initial reports said that there was no sign of sexual molestation, but the victim’s wounds and hematoma, the police, show that she had suffered vicious ordeal before her death. Rapinan’s story had gone viral after a Catholic priest’s name had emerged, allegedly said to be her longtime lover and, the father of her son. The Archdiocese of Caceres, immediately responded with a position letter, condemning the incident and stated that they are conducting an internal investigation on this allegation. They also assured the public that they will cooperate with the police investigation. Rapinan’s family and some of her close friends made statements to the media about what Jeraldine told them the night before she was last seen alive, and that she was going to meet the said priest somewhere in Baao to discuss the baptism of their son. She was found dead three days later. The priest is now being considered as the person of interest in this case. De Luna was moved when her story ran in several news platforms, prompting him to arrange a visit to the victim’s family at her wake. After meeting the victim’s parents, he offered help for her burial and other related expenses, and assured them that he would help to coordinate with bringing justice to those who were involved in her brutal murder. When interviewed by media, De Luna, also known by his initials SND (for Sir Noel De Luna) asked for prayers, and requested to be more careful with reporting on this case. “Let us not speculate. Let us allow our police to conclude their investigation and file necessary cases against the perpetrators,” he said.