GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 9 December) – The fatal stabbing of 21-year-old Miyuki Tsukasa Kim, a graduating student of the College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences at Mindanao State University – General Santos (MSU-GenSan), has raised concerns over violence against women (VAW) and the safety of female students in the city.
In a Facebook post on December 8, the Office of the Student Regent and the Federation of Mindanao State University Supreme Student Councils (FEMSUSSCO) condemned the killing.
“[Her passing] is a painful reminder that violence against women is not an abstract issue; it is real, it is brutal, and it continues to claim lives,” Edriane Shane M. Casipong, Student Regent and FEMSUSSCO President, wrote.
Casipong added that the tragedy “echoes why the fight to end VAW must be relentless, urgent, and collective,” and strongly called on concerned authorities to ensure that the persons responsible are immediately held accountable.
In a separate post on December 9, Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles, Representative for the Lone District of General Santos, expressed shock and outrage.
“It is distressing that a young woman, on the verge of graduation and full of promise, was attacked in the place where she should have been safest—her own home,” the post read. She also extended her sympathies to the Kim family and the MSU community, pledging solidarity in the call for accountability.
Kim was discovered lifeless in her room at her family home in Barangay Apopong, on Monday morning, December 8. Police said Kim suffered multiple stab wounds that caused her death.
According to initial reports from GSC Police Station 2, led by PMAJ Jethro Doligas, Kim was home alone at the time of the attack.
Neighbors recalled odd occurrences the night before, including unusually early darkness in the house and the family dog barking continuously, details that investigators are now examining.
Authorities also noted that money was missing from the home, raising the possibility of robbery as a motive, though no arrests have been made so far.
City Police Director PCOL Nicomedes Olaivar Jr., overseeing the investigation, told Brigada News that authorities are verifying the involvement of three persons of interest.
“We are verifying their involvement and whether any of them were present or had access to the residence. We do not release names at this stage to protect the integrity of the investigation,” Olaivar told the local news outlet via phone interview.
Local authorities have pledged to follow all leads to hold those responsible accountable. MSU-Gensan has offered counseling and support services to students and community members affected by the tragedy.
The incident occurred during the country’s annual 18-Day campaign to end violence against women (VAW) observed from November 25 to December 12. (Guia A. Rebollido / MindaNews)
