CEBU CITY — I learned that last Monday, a woman was stabbed by a man while walking in the vicinity of V. Locsin and Real St. in Dumaguete. In one of the news items in SunStar Cebu, the man was alleged to be mentally deranged.
This is deeply-concerning because I have an open complaint against another deranged man, a certain Basilio Reboton, who was molesting women in the streets of Dumaguete.
On Oct. 18, 2022, I wrote the Honorable Mayor of Dumaguete about Reboton. In response to my letter, and to a number of other complaints against the same person, the City government committed Reboton into the Talay Rehab Center.
Reboton did not stay long in Talay, however. In no time, he was released.
In May this year, I was notified that Reboton is back on the streets of Dumaguete, doing his usual trade.
For this reason, I wrote the Honorable Mayor again. In a letter dated May 17, I notified the City government that Reboton is back, and begged the City to do something about it. I have not received a response to this letter, nor have I been notified of any action taken on Reboton.
The recent stabbing incident is concerning because it illustrates what psychologically-unstable individuals are capable of.
In my October 2022 letter, I pointed out that if Reboton is not locked up, there is a risk that his sexual angst can escalate into aggression, which can translate into rape and murder.
As protector of the residents’ safety, it is the duty of the City government to put away psychologically- and mentally-unstable individuals such as Reboton before they are able to commit more serious crimes.
To say that I am deeply-concerned is an understatement. I could not sleep the other night thinking about my children who are studying in Silliman University, and how, because of physical distance, I am unable to protect them from harm.
As a member of Silliman’s Board of Trustees, I also fear for the safety of our students, many of whom live outside the campus.
I feel for their parents, too. Like me, they must also be anxious over recent events.
I am wondering how the community can possibly help the City government.
If the City government refuses to take action, is there a way that the community can step in? Perhaps the community can create an organization whose only purpose is to monitor the existence of mentally- and psychologically-unstable individuals in its midst? Perhaps this organization can sit down with the government, and discover what is preventing the government from doing its job under the circumstances, and how the community can help?
Under our Rules of Court, only the City government can file a case to compel the commitment of insane persons, which means that if the local government does nothing, the insane person will remain on the streets.
We can probably counter this if we have an organization that is properly-equipped and -funded to compel the government to do its job.
These are just my thoughts. I am hoping that by sharing them with the MetroPost, other people can mull over them, and possibly take action.
We have several well-to-do residents in Dumaguete. Creating this organization should not be that hard.
Looking forward to better days ahead.
Atty. May S. Aguilar
Cavada & Aguilar Law Firm
