CAGAYAN DE ORO (UCAN): Genifer Buckly, a 24-year-old teacher and a member of the Jesuit Volunteers Philippines (JVP) was killed and her companion, 30-year-old lawyer, Anne Kathleen Gatdula, seriously injured after being repeatedly stabbed during an attempted robbery in the southern Philippine province of Bukidnon on August 23.
 
Buckly died from multiple stab wounds to her chest and abdomen, while Gatdula was rushed to hospital with two stab wounds to her stomach and shoulder.
 
Police arrested a suspect, 36-year-old Arnold Naguilla, shortly after. He allegedly stabbed the two victims after they discovered him in their lodgings trying to steal their valuables.
 
In a statement, Rowena Cabungcal Guce, JVP president, said Buckly and Gatdula “chose to dedicate at least a year of their lives to serve others.”
 
She said, “It pains us to have this happen to them. This is probably the most difficult challenge in JVP’s 40 years of sending volunteers to under-served communities.”
 
Guce added, “We continue to hope that the spirit of volunteerism and service will persist.” 
 
Buckly was a 2015 graduate of the Jesuit-run Ateneo de Zamboanga. She taught in the university’s Junior High School for four years before joining the JVP this year.
 
Jesuit Father Karel San Juan, president of university, said Buckly’s “tragic death pains us deeply .... But your life, your joyful love and service console and inspire us.”
 
He said, “You gave your life to your family, friends, students and to many others. Your generous spirit will forever stay in our hearts.”
 
The Jesuit Volunteer Corps is a non-profit organisation of lay people who volunteer for a year or more of community service in poor communities.