Death of college student not ROTC related: CHED chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 15, 2019): Death of college student not ROTC related: CHED chief

Commission on Higher Education chair J. Prospero de Vera III on Friday called on groups to stop using the death of a college student in Iloilo to push for their anti-Reserved Officers Training Corps agenda, saying the incident has nothing to do with it.

"The death of Willy Amihoy is not an ROTC-related matter. The use of this incident for propaganda purposes is insensitive and an insult to the families of the victim and the accused. I call on everyone to let the pertinent authorities to handle the case according to the rule of law and due process," de Vera said in a statement.

On Monday, Willy Amihoy, 23, was found dead by the security guard inside the comfort room of the Iloilo State College of Fisheries (ISCOF) Boys' Dormitory in Dumangas, Iloilo.

According to police reports, Amihoy was allegedly killed by Elmer Decilao, 22, a former ROTC officer, after Amihoy accused him of stealing a wallet. The allegation irked Decilao, who hit Amihoy with a pipe on the head.

De Vera said the incident had nothing to do with ROTC as claimed by Kabataan party-list and the Commission on Human Rights and connected the incident to "culture of impunity and abuse".

Citing the reports of ISCOF president Dr. Godelyn Hisole, de Vera said the incident did not happen during an "ROTC formation" or any event related to an ROTC activity.

De Vera said Amihoy is currently enrolled in NSTP (National Service Training Program) under the ROTC program.

A case against Decilao has been filed at the provincial prosecutor’s office.

"Legal assistance and accommodations have also been given to the family who are from Negros Oriental. The university will provide assistance in transporting the body of the victim to his hometown in Tayasan, Negros Oriental," he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1064684