They say justice delayed is justice denied. That may well be the case of the still unresolved rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl more than two years ago in Barangay Libaong, Panglao. The lifeless body of Vivian Dumaluan was found near the staff house of the Dumaluan Beach Resort on April 29, 2004 . An autopsy conducted on her body revealed that Vivian was raped before she was killed.

Her killing raised suspicions that she knew her attackers and that to allow her to live would expose them to prosecution if not conviction for their crime. To make sure that there are no witnesses, they killed Vivian after abusing her body. It didn't matter anymore that Vivian's life would end tragically before she could complete high school less than nine months before her debut. It didn't matter if in doing so they would rob her of her future and forever deprive her family of her presence. They were the least of the concerns of depraved and sadistic minds. As it turned out, the sufferings of Vivian's parents are far from over.

Even before the investigation into her death could be concluded, the investigators were suddenly given new assignments. This gave rise to suspicions that someone wanted them out before they got to the bottom of the crime. To Vivian's parents, they want nothing less than to see the day when those responsible for killing and raping their daughter are made to answer for their crime and meted the punishment that they deserve. Although nothing can bring back their daughter to life, this is the last thing they can do for her. The tragedy in this sad incident is not only because justice may yet be mocked and twisted to suit certain interests. It is not only because the real killers are still free to roam around and, worse, probably rape or kill another girl in the future.

The bigger tragedy is that Vivian's death will remain unsolved, a mere statistic in the lengthening list of those victimized by thrill killers. Long after her body has wasted away and only her memory remains to her loved ones, her killing has not been given the closure that it deserves. It would be too much to expect anything from Vivian's killers to experience a sudden stab of conscience to confess to their act. It is too much to expect those who conspire with them to muddle the issue to be ridden with guilt. The only hope that remains is for those mandated to serve the ends of the law to do their part. In their hands lie the fate of a girl and her family to finally get justice. They are not only the last hope for Vivian and their parents. If only because of this, they should not fail.