Philippines Honor Slain Peace Corps Volunteer

Updating a previous report, the suspecteded killer of murdered Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell has surrendered, Campbell's remains have been cremated and flown back to the U.S., and Campbell is being decorated by the Philippine government.

The House of Representatives will honor martyred US Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell with the Congressional Medal of Achievement, its highest decoration, in recognition of her invaluable services and personal sacrifices for the Filipino people, especially the poor.

Speaker Jose de Venecia initiated the tribute to Campbell and said the Award for the well-loved volunteer teacher cum social worker was "accepted with gratitude" by the US government and the US Peace Corps.

De Venecia said the Award -- the highest decoration from the House -- will be presented in June to the US Peace Corps, represented by its director, Ronald Tschetter in Washington, and a representative of Campbell's family, in ceremonies expected to be graced by the top Philippine and American officials and leaders of civil society in Manila.

Honoring Julia Campbell with a Philippine Congressional citation is significant. It indicates that not only was Campbell well-liked and effective in her capacity as a Peace Corps volunteer, but also that the Filipino government wants to make sure that her murder doesn't aggravate relations with the Peace Corps nor the United States.

Understandably, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Peace Corps are concerned about the adequacy of existing security measures. Almost 140 Peace Corps volunteers are currently in the Philippines and their safety requirements are being reviewed. Note that the PNP has not completed its investigation into Campbell's murder. There continue to be unanswered questions.

To conclude:

The Congressional Medal of Achievement citation honored Campbell for having "brought light and joy into the lives" of many Filipinos.

"She epitomized the ideals of the Peace Corps and of the American people," the citation read.

For the light, the joy and the ideals, Julia Campbell will be remembered.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.