Opposition Sen. Leila de Lima deplored the killing of a member of the LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and other sexual identities) who was a senior high school student of a government-run university in Mindanao.
De Lima, a social justice and human rights advocate, said the killing of Khaleed Khay Abdulgajir warrants serious and thorough investigation and ensure that justice will be served.
The victim studied at the Integrated Laboratory School of Mindanao State University Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (MSU-TCTO). He was allegedly murdered at Midvalley, Nalil, Bongao.
“We are strongly condemning the brutal killing of a member of LGBTQIA+ community,” De Lima said.
“It’s appalling how some people have no qualms to kill, as if life is so cheap that they can simply take it away whenever they like. No family deserves to suffer the pain of losing their loved ones to violence,” she said.
A police report stated that Abdulgajir was stabbed five times in her body and sustained one deep wound on the neck.
Salm Kairo Dumanlag, executive director of Mindanao Pride, condemned the killing, saying, it has a chilling effect. “This happened at the height of the celebration towards fight against discrimination, towards trans, bisexual and LGBTIQ community.”
De Lima reiterated the urgency for the Filipinos to collectively express their outrage and tirelessly demand for accountability for all the victims of killings and violence.