Cebu Velez College student killed in clash between Army and rebels

[radiostar]

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Rachelle Mae Palang

A Paragon of Virtue

Student leaders and students journalists in the country, particularly in Cebu and the Visayas, are grieving over the loss of a friend, a comrade and a champion.


We shed our tears for Rachelle Mae “Mae-Mae” Palang, who was ruthlessly killed by armed goons of coldblooded and self-serving tyrants. Her only fault, if it is a fault at all, was her love for those who are suffering because of an unjust system. Her only crime, if at all it is called a crime, was to give up her dreams of living a life of comfort in exchange of serving those who need her the most – the poor and the deprived.


For this, she paid with her life.


Rachelle is an epitome of a student leader who is embedded in the struggle for genuine students and people’s rights and welfare. She embraced public interest and shed her own.


She knows no fear. Even the risk of expulsion or suspension did not shy her away from defending that which she believed was right. Her conscience was her compass, and her conscience dictates that what she does is right. The compassion of a freedom lover was her guiding light.


For this, she was always vocal on issues affecting not just the students of Velez College, but that of the society at large. Her voice was the voice of the students and her community.


She was born a writer having been involved in the student publication since her high school days. And being an academic achiever, her intelligence manifested in her critical-mindedness. She was able to see through the facade of society and recognized its ills. Unlike those passive stereotypes, Rachelle made a choice to do something.


The interest of the people became her interest. If many dreamt of becoming doctors in order to secure for themselves a comfortable life, Rachelle took the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) in the hope of getting a medical degree so that she could better serve the less fortunate. She passed with a high grade, just as she effortlessly passed the licensure examination for nurses and eventually got her license as a registered nurse.


Rachelle dedicated her life in the service of the people to the extent of giving up her future and eventually, her life.
Her involvement with the College Editors’ Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) gave her a chance to see our world as it really is: unfair, unjust, and biased to those who have. But instead of choosing to stay in the sidelights, she believed that there is still hope for change. That one day we will wake up in a world that is built in positive virtues and values. Coupled with the conviction that in order to achieve this world something has to be done, she always made it a point to act and do her share.


Fighting for this dream she dedicated her life to the ideals of the CEGP knowing the vital role that the student press plays in creating a more acceptable and fair society. She became vice president for the Visayas of the CEGP and editor-in-chief of Vital Signs, her school’s student publication, for three consecutive years.


She worked hard to help reopen closed publications, establish student publications in universities who have none, and struggled to end all forms of students’ rights violations in campus. She, however, did not limit her service to her school but extended it to the rest of society.


Through the Basic Masses Integration (BMI) program of the CEGP she was able to see and experience first hand the many forms of oppression that the basic sector was suffering from. She realized the need to educate the masses of their rights. She realized her role in the drama and accepted it whole-heartedly.


When she finished her term as VP for the Visayas with the CEGP she decided that it was time for her to take her love affair with the people a step further. We were told that she volunteered her services to the less fortunate. A decision which we believe is righteous, principled, moral and honorable.


A decision which led to her untimely demise, but one that is honorable and worthwhile.


Rachelle died for a cause, and her death will serve to strengthen the voice of the campus journalists, to take side not with the oppressor but with the oppressed.


Her death will serve as a call to strengthen and revitalize the desire of the student journalists to integrate with the people, to learn of their struggles, and to help them achieve their dream of a just society.


The act of the military in linking Rachelle with the New Peoples’ Army is a desperate attempt to shadow the real reason why she went to Negros, that is to help the oppressed farmers. We are deeply insulted when the military praised and showered Mae-Mae’s killers with gifts and recognitions. Just as barbarians as they are, they celebrate in the death of a peace freedom-loving person who have helped more people than they had in their lifetime.


The CEGP admonishes these inhumane and insulting actions of the military, as well as the brutal treatment of her body. We condemn the malicious attempt of the military to confuse and mislead the people from the real issue and from denying the difference of CEGP as a legal organization and a legitimate alliance of tertiary student publications from those organizations calling for arm struggle.


Rachelle could have chosen a different path. A path that could have led to a comfortable life for her and her family. But she chose the path less traveled. The path of suffering just so others would live comfortable lives. A path of selfless devotion and service to the people.


Rachelle may be gone but she will always be remembered.


She will always be our "Mae-Mae."




source: PaLpitAtioNs of caRdiac RhymEs aNd RhytHm - Rachelle Mae Palang: A Paragon of Virtue

[annapeace]

on the other hand, i could say she died a noble death in the sense that she died for what she believed in... how many could do that, even in the simple things that we believe in, not necessarily being "rebels:.

[annapeace]

CEGP is an apprentice for NPA..

unsa'y basis ani?

[LytSlpr]

Sun Star Daily Cebu, September 24, 2008

Malilong: Outcries won’t do justice to Rachelle
By Frank Malilong
The Other Side

"If she was in the company of armed rebels during the encounter, it does not really matter whether or not Rachelle held a gun. And I don’t think there is a rule of engagement that says you can’t fire back towards where the enemy fire came from. Note that the military’s claim of an encounter has remained undisputed.

I’ve said it before: death diminishes us all. I am saddened that one so young should die before her dreams could bloom and fully flower. Her idealism would have made her chose to stay home and serve her people rather than fly away to distant shores for the money.

But I think all these outcries over her death do not do her justice. Rachelle chose to follow a path and pursue a cause she strongly believed in. Many may not agree with the things that she did and stood for but that she was willing to pay the supreme sacrifice for her beliefs shows character.

In this sense, her death was no less heroic than those of the other CEGP casualties in the battle for freedom."


I applaud her for having character and believing in her principles but that doesn't necessarily make reasons or methods right. Again, for me, she is just another statistic. Unfortunately, I still cannot agree with her means of attaining her goals and principles despite all the prose and melodramatics.

[gwapo_gyud]

so what are the facts man diay, care to tell?

Bitaw, I'm also interested in knowing the truth. In what way is she helping the family of the poor farmers in negros? Who brought her to the mountains barangays of negros?

[LytSlpr]

ensakto tong usa ka poster dire nga Rachelle Mae may have high IQ but not sa EQ. she may be very good academically, but not street smart or resilient enough to accept the harsh realities in life. and that's exactly one of the weaknesses the CPP-NPA are looking for in the youth.

u know what, if she could just have pursued her promising career sa nursing abroad and accumulate some money, then by that time she could go back home to help the farmers by way of funding medical missions or some sort of project w/ the Dept of Agri (or even joining a leftist partylist group or an oppositionist newspaper) without even being part of being an NPA. heck, she could even run for a political post if indeed she wants to address the plight of the farmers.

coz in her case, she is intelligent and has leadership skills, and could do better as a left-leaning political leader instead of just an armed guerilla in the bondooks. simply put, usik kaau ang brains.

and coz when u take up arms, u no longer become a civilian. and that will be another story.

yes, money may not matter for her, but let us remember that money is also what keeps the CPP-NPA surviving up to this day. Thanks to their international financiers and supporters. Money is what lets them obtain weapons and the logistics (and power & influence too).

coz in any political endeavor, be it right-winged, center, or left-wing, money is always part of the equation. and she (Bless her soul) should know better.

"KILALANIN ANG KALABAN"

TUMPAK ka boss!

[rockrhyan1982]

i hope that her death doesnt set examples to those who want to do what she did..wake up and dont waste your life.

[annapeace]

Sun Star Daily Cebu, September 24, 2008

Malilong: Outcries won’t do justice to Rachelle
By Frank Malilong
The Other Side

...I applaud her for having character and believing in her principles but that doesn't necessarily make reasons or methods right. Again, for me, she is just another statistic. Unfortunately, I still cannot agree with her means of attaining her goals and principles despite all the prose and melodramatics.

something i want to say myself.

[LytSlpr]

Sun.Star Cebu - Speak out: Rachelle Mae, R.N.

is this the ONLY memorial they can offer their befallen comrade? what a shame!

[cottonmouth]

unsa'y basis ani?

Kailangan pa bang i-memorize yan?

Kaklaro ana..if you have been observing this group (LFS, CEGP, ANAKBAYAN) you have overwhelming evidence of them being part of the NPA.

Birds of the same feathers....are the same birds...hehehe