The Philippine Commission on Human Rights and the national police vow justice for the killing earlier this month of online personality Ebeng Mayor, a transgender man.
Ebeng Mayor (Photo from Transman Equality and Awareness Movement – Philippines)
On May 21, transmasculine Ebeng Mayor was found dead with evidence of mutilation and rape after being reported missing for three days.
In a separate incident, the body of trans woman Jhie Bangkiao was found naked in the middle of the cemetery in Alangalang, Leyte.
Both members of the transgender community were found brutally murdered a few days after the commemoration of International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia.
In a statement, Gabriela Youth Pampanga said the murder of Mayor and Bangkiao points to a hate crime.
“Ito’y isang malinaw na manipestasyon na hindi ligtas at kailangan ng matibay na proteksyon at seguridad ng mga kasapi ng nasabing komunidad (This is a clear manifestation that it’s unsafe for the members of the community and we need strong protection and secutity),” the group said
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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 23) The Philippine National Police on Sunday said it has filed rape with homicide and robbery cases against three individuals, including the victim’s childhood friend, over the brutal killing of 21-year-old trans man Ebeng Mayor.
The suspects were identified by the PNP as Mayor’s childhood friend, 22-year-old Zander Dela Cruz, alias “Dugong”; 30-year-old Joel Loyola, alias Nonoy Sablay”; and 34-year-old Richard Elvin Araza, alias Tiago.”
They were arrested on Saturday, four days after the slay and two days after Mayor’s body was found at a vacant lot in Brgy. Bagong Silangan, Quezon City, said Elmer Monsalve, the chief of the QC police s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit.