Yet another tragic incident looms over the country after a third-year college student in Tuguegarao shot and beat a classmate in their campus parking lot. And despite being charged with frustrated murder, the assailant was allowed to post bail, enraging Filipinos. Here’s what happened.

Warning: This article contains discussion on and videos of violence and assault. Please proceed with caution.

The victim

A female college student taking up medical technology in St. Paul University Philippines Tuguegarao was found bleeding on the ground in the university parking lot last Monday afternoon.

The victim was shot and beaten up with a pistol by her male classmate. Caught on camera, the assailant shot the victim twice and hit her head 11 times using the gun. The footage is now going viral on social media leaving everyone stunned.

Concerned citizens rushed the victim to a hospital, where she is currently recovering from injuries.

Meanwhile, the school announced on Monday night that “the situation is under control.” They added: “Rest assured that we are cooperating with Law Enforcement authorities relevant to the incident.”

The assailant

Police have identified the assailant as third-year medical technology student Kristian Rafael Ramos.

According to authorities, two school employees heard the victim shouting for help while she was inside a parked vehicle. They attempted to help her, but Ramos pointed his gun at them, prompting them to flee.

Despite immediately fleeing the scene after the assault, Ramos was surrended by his father to police custody. He is being charged with frustrated murder and violation of the Omnibus Election Code, particularly the election gun ban.

Romance turned violence

According to the first report of 24 Oras, Ramos is the alleged boyfriend of the victim.

However, Pilipino Star Ngayon later reported that the police’s initial investigation revealed the assailant’s motivation is allegedly romantic rejection. Ramos was said to be courting the victim, but after she rejected his advances, he turned to violence.

Bail granted

On Wednesday, only two days after the incident, Ramos was allowed to post bail by the Tuguegarao City Regional Trial Court Branch 5, according to a report by Inquirer.net.

“He was able to post a P200,000 bail for frustrated murder and P36,000 [for violating] BP 881 (Batas Pambansa Bilang 881 or Omnibus Election Code,” Police Regional Office 2 spokesperson Major Sharon Mallinllin told Inquirer.net over a phone call.

Can such charges be granted bail?

Concerned Pinoys are buzzing with questions: can the assailant be granted bail, especially with such strong evidence against him?

Those charged with frustrated murder may be sentenced to imprisonment of any period between 6 to nearly 15 years. According to Respicio & Co. Law Firm, those accused of frustrated murder is generally not granted bail because of the gravity of the crime, especially when evidence is stacked against them.

However, the accused may file a petition for bail, and a court will determine whether they will grant it or not based on factors like the evidence of guilt and the severity of the penalty imposed by law on the offense charged.

A netizens asked if the bail was granted due to Ramos’ age, while others alleged that the assailant might have connections that allowed him to post bail quickly. “The court can grant still pero ewan nasa video na nga ebidensya,” an X user puzzled.

Most Pinoys expressed their concern for the victim, stating that bail shouldn’t have been granted to the assailant until the victim is safe. “Ano nalang kaya nararamdaman ngayon ng biktima at pamilya ng biktima?” another X user asked.

What are your thoughts on this tragic incident? Tell us below.

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