Merwin Galang Mendoza
(March 17, 2005)I would like to extend my profound condolence to the family and friends of Merwin, a fellow student who let her girlfriend run to safety as he was ganged upon by squatters within the University of the Philippines campus. With graduation just a few weeks away and a promise of a bright future looming in the horizon, Merwin lay dead from a stab to his heart.

I was shocked upon hearing such tragedy...the student body was shocked as well...heck, everybody was in disbelief. How could such a heinous crime happen in a state university? I asked around...security guards, school officials, students. I was more shocked to hear the following:

• this has been the 3rd stabbing incident within an 18-day period
• 3 days prior to the stabbing, a hold-up incident already happened at the main library
• female students are dragged into the dark areas flanked by the main lib, AS and the Eng where they are sexually assaulted and robbed
• hold-up incidents are rampant where cell phones of students are grabbed from them either as a snatch or at knife-point
• there was another fatal stabbing incident at last year's UP Fair

I'd been away from UP for many years and I can't help but see how bad the peace and order situation in the campus have deteriorated. I am left wondering...how bad should the situation be for something radical to be done? Has something actually been done before? Will the "funding" excuse be used to explain this? Should another student be killed again before something gets done? The people who are in a position to address this issue...do they have the political will to do what must be done? Or will they employ a band-aid solution to appease an outraged public?

I sincerely hope this serves as a wake up call. Criminal elements have no business inside a state university and the powers-that-be should uphold the safety and welfare of the students above all.

--- TheLoneRider