ILOILO City – A local women’s group decried what it called as “justice long overdue” for businesswoman Claire Diergos who was murdered and abandoned in Santa Barbara, Iloilo on Oct. 26.
“May we know what’s taking so long? Will she ever gain justice?” asked the Soroptimist International of Iloilo (SII), a group of professionals.
For over a month now, justice remains elusive for the single mother of a three-year-old girl, they said.
SII joined this year’s 18-day campaign against Violence Against Women (VAW).
They hope witnesses in Diergos’ case would surface.
The group said VAW violates human rights and continues to be one of the country’s perennial social problems.
“We strongly believe that the response to violence must be immediate, coordinated and effective so that crimes are punished and justice is secured. There can be no lasting peace when women and girls suffer from violence,” they stressed.
Thousands of women and girls choose to suffer in silence due to fear, stigma and shame, according to SII.
As a result, many perpetrators remain free and unpunished, they said.
“Let us encourage them to finally speak up, report and break the silence. We can only do this if we can show them that cases such as Claire’s can attain justice. Let us not disappoint them. Let us not deprive them of the hope that one day they shall all live a life free of violence,” they added.
SII emphasized that violence against women and girls is an extreme manifestation of gender inequality and systemic gender-based discrimination.
“Their right to live a life free of violence depends on the protection of their human rights and a strong chain of justice. Thus, we strongly urge our law enforcement officers not to sleep on what is to be done under these circumstances,” they underscored.
SII is composed of Rosario Ason, Diana Aure, Leticia Chua, Gudelia V. Coo, Leilah Dela Llana, Ma. Elena R. Divinagracia, Aiza Divinagracia, Dea Doromal, Ann Rapunzel “Rara” Ganzon, Atty. Pearl G. Gauzon, Atty. Mary Milagros Hechanova, Elsie Herrera (MD), Julie Ann Jaranilla, Jane Jarantilla, Rosalinda Jardeleza, Elma Marañon (MD), Valerie Maravilla, Ma. Concepcion L. Rojo, Julie Seneriches (MD), Ebonia Seraspe, Ida Siason, Caroline Uy, Feliza Uy, Hermosa Villa, Ma. Victoria Villareal (MD), and Deb Palmes (MD)./PN
