Let justice rain for MSU philo prof found tied, dead, burnt inside Internet cafe he built to help kids in school


Let justice rain for MSU philo prof
found tied, dead, burnt inside 
Internet cafe he built to help kids in school

Othelo's body is still inside as this building that houses his Internet cafe business burns. His literal financial help to the school needs of his siblings and others' children, which aid he got from his income from this Internet cafe, has come to an end. But the legacy of this amiable professor at the Mindanao State University Philosophy Department will remain to be among the storied past of the institution built to establish seeds of high-quality knowledge for Muslim and Christian youths.  Tragedy occurred October 25, 2012 at the commercial center of MSU, the place this author (Berteni "Toto" Cataluña Causing) used to know and promenade during the mid-1980s.

GREET TRAGEDY WITH A SMILE.


TO ALL PERSONAL FRIENDS OF OTHELO D. COBAL, I AM WITH YOU.

Hello friend Khal Mambuay-Campong, please accept my condolence to all of you at the MSU Philosophy Department, the faculty and students, who are personal friends of Othel.  I do not know him from Adams but I got an idea of who he is: MSUan all over, like you and me.

HOW SHOCKING INDEED TO HEAR THIS PHILOSOPHY PROFESSOR OF MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY, SINGLE, 30 YEARS OLD, SUPPORTING SIBLINGS AND OTHERS' CHILDREN'S SCHOOLING, THAT HE WAS FOUND DEAD, TIED AND BURNT INSIDE THE INTERNET CAFE HE ESTABLISHED AT THE MSU COMMERCIAL CENTER I USED TO KNOW AND PROMENADE IN THE MID-1980s.

I also learned he was one of the coaches of the debating teams from MSU and other schools.

While I cannot compel you not to cry for him, I wish to tell all of you that even in rains the sun still shines.

I have come to realize that although it is awkward and inappropriate, the best way to meet tragedy and disaster is to smile at them.

LET US LOOK FOR THE SUN IN THIS COMPELLING DEATH OF A MAN WHO, I HAVE JUST READ, IS A RARE MAN and a RARE MSUan.

That sun is just there. If the rains eventually stop, as it must, it will shine to give light to MSU for all its children to see it through.

Comments

Anonymous said…
How come this kind of crime is so rampant in the Philippines?..This is unbelievable..Do the authorities knows how to solve crime?..Do they know how to implement law and order?..Public seems to have no protection from murderer in the Island..How do they proceed with their investigation on things like this?..Right away I hope,the first 48hrs. after the crime was committed is so crucial in finding the perpetrator/s....Where do they study criminology btw?..Forensic science, or do they?..:))..Do they even have police academy?.lol...
bcw said…
I understand what you are trying to say, being positive in the midst of tragedy. But I have to say that telling people to "Greet tragedy with a smile" is not what we are wanting to hear right now. This is the moment for sobriety, contemplation, reflection and a quiet determination to find justice. This is not the right time to smile.
Unknown said…
in armm, what we need is a combination of skills and bravery to pursue our individual calling, or group initiatives lest our names would be encrypted in the lists of fallen martyrs or heroes! the presence of government in the community, especially in far-flung areas is sorely missing, thus, the wanton display of arrogance and trampling of rights is a daily occurence!
asd said…
I definitely agree with bcw. No MSUan wants to read a eulogy that greets them with a "smile" after the heinous incident that had happened.

"moment for sobriety, contemplation, reflection and a quiet determination to find justice" <- this is what we need.

by the way, he's not at his 30yrs of age. he's at his 40s.
Anonymous said…
I agreed with justice without power is empty. Violence for its vice-versa. Every individual should be ethic, quiet, and strong to protect ourselves, the other people, and also our property.
I always have a soft heart for MSU and its faculty. When I was at Narra dorm at UP I met some of them who were scholars from MSU. And befriended, or rather we befriended one another as well. This was the time when our dorm master was Mang Willy. Also, my good friend Jaime An Lim if I am not mistake used to teach literature at MSU. In any case, I grieved for Othelo and pray that justice be meted out to him sooner than soon.















Anonymous said…
If you people just knew the real reason behind that incident you wouldn't probably say those "whatever" about the professor.

Mali lang paraan ng paggawa nila, pero the professor deserved it.


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