By Pearl Gumapos
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte denounced the senseless and barbaric act against one of the members of the LGBTQ+ community on account of his sexual orientation and gender identity on May 23 Sunday.
Twenty-one-year-old Norriebi Tria, also known as Ebeng Mayor, was raped and murdered by three perpetrators.
He was found dead at a vacant lot in Barangay Bagong Silangan last Thursday afternoon.
According to a report by the Quezon City Police Department, Zander dela Cruz — a childhood friend of the victim — confessed to the crime and named two more suspects.
What followed was a hot pursuit operation conducted by the QCPD which led to the arrest of the two suspects, named Richard Haraza and Nonoy Sablay.
The victim’s cell phone was also recovered from the suspect.
The QCPD is now preparing to file charges against the suspects.
“As I express my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Ebeng Mayor, I also want to assure them that we won’t leave no stone unturned until justice is served for the death of their loved one”, said the Mayor.
Belmonte assured the public that, despite the incident, members of the LGBTQ+ community have nothing to worry about as Quezon City shall remain a safe space for the community.
The city has passed and implemented the Gender Fair Ordinance which protects LGBTQ+ rights and prohibits any sort of discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression.
Belmonte also encouraged the LGBTQ+ community who are experiencing violence and harassment to report to the 122 hotline for immediate action or to seek temporary refuge in the QC Protection Center. –rir
