THE HIMATI, the student publication of the University of the Philippines-Mindanao, along with the entire UP System, on Tuesday joined calls for justice for its slain alumna Christine Angelica Dacera.

“Along with the whole UP Mindanao and UP System community, we extend our sincerest condolences to Christine Dacera’s family and friends as we call for justice,” Himati said in a statement.

Dacera was found unconscious in the bathtub of a hotel in Makati City after celebrating the New Year with some friends.

She was brought to the Makati Medical Center but was declared dead on arrival.

According to police’s autopsy reports, Dacera’s body had abrasions and hematoma and there were indications that she was sexually assaulted.

In 2017, Dacera graduated cum laude at UP Mindanao where she earned her bachelor’s degree in communication and media studies.

The same year, she became a member of the university’s The Honor Society of the Phi Kappa Phi.

“Christine Dacera, fondly called as ‘Ica’, was an exemplar of honor and excellence in balancing her academics and passion for performing arts, who was a member of the university’s resident dance company, the Dance Ensemble. May you rest in peace and the memories of your kind hearted soul continue to bless the hearts of the people you’ve touched in your remembrance,” the Department of Human Kinetics, UP-Mindanao, said.

Himati stressed that Dacera’s death should spur calls for better protection of women and condemnation of rape and victim-blaming.

“This revolting tragedy reminds us of the relentless attempts to shrink the democratic spaces of women — a by-product of the macho-patriarchal system in our society. Nowhere is safe when simply existing serves as an invitation for violence to those who wish to violate. Labanan ang abuso,” it said.

The Philippine National Police had declared the case ‘solved’  following the arrest of three suspects. Nine others remain at large.