After 12 long years, the perpetrators of the rape-slay of 19-year old college student, Laesybill Lim Almonacid, in Barangay Bascaran, Daraga, Albay on 2 November 2011 have finally been arrested.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) lauds the efforts of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Albay (CIDG-Albay) for renewing investigation efforts until a credible witness led to the arrest of brothers Omar Almonacid and Stephen Almonacid, the victim’s uncles, on 11 January 2023 for charges of rape with homicide.

Prior to this arrest, the case was already considered as a ‘cold case’ due to lack of witnesses and evidence. Similarly, CHR Region V also investigated the case in 2011 and was able to grant financial assistance to the mother of the victim for the human rights violation committed.

The case was eventually turned over by the Daraga police to CIDG-Albay in September 2020. CIDG’s investigation yielded new leads, which resulted in filing of cases in March 2022. The arrest warrant was issued by Legazpi City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 3 Judge Joseph Raymond Destajo Borja in January 2023.

The resolution of this case demonstrates the significant role of every individual in attaining justice and upholding the rule of law for all. Sustained action and protection of witnesses is necessary from the government, and the principles of seeking accountability is equally important from citizens. Justice calls for the fundamental indivisibility of these factors, akin to the nature of human rights.

CHR commends the resolute diligence shown by CIDG-Albay as well as local police and Legazpi City RTC to ascertain justice for Laesybill and her family. We acknowledge the challenges and constraints that come with reopening cold cases, including revisiting old wounds caused to the family. The Commission thanks them not only for cooperating with law enforcement, but more importantly, for bravely coming forward.

CHR deplores all acts of violence and harassment against women, moreso when it involves vulnerable minors and whose perpetrators are their own relatives. In the same breath, we give due recognition to duty bearers who take their sworn duty to protect the people with honor and utmost gravity.

We hope that this dedication may be sustained and replicated in different parts of the country so we may address the prevailing culture of impunity worsened by cases of human rights violation awaiting justice. ###