Emotions ran high as the doctor’s family, friends, associates and patients brought him to his final resting place at the Rolling Hills Memorial Park yesterday afternoon, and called for swift justice for his untimely death.

Gumban was killed at his residence at Regent Pearl Homes Subdivision in Bacolod City on May 10 by two teenagers who were immediately arrested by his neighbors.

Eddie Gumban appealed to the suspects Fof Pascual, 18, of Sagay City and the 16-year-old from Cadiz City, whose name is being withheld as he is a minor, to reveal who ordered them to kill his uncle.

Eddie said it is not far fetched that someone ordered the killing of his uncle because until now his iPod, wristwatch, necklace and P50,000 in cash remain missing.

On Thursday, the father of the 16-year-old said, he is willing to kneel in front of the doctor’s loved ones to ask them to forgive his son, but Eddie said they cannot just simply accept his apology.

Eddie said they are deeply hurt by the brutal killing of his uncle who was slashed in the throat, sustained 35 stab other wounds, and an X mark on his face. The suspects should face the consequences of what they did, he said.

“If he (Dr. Gumban), was not killed, he could have helped more poor people, especially those who came from his hometown in Brgy. San Isidro, Toboso,” Gumban’s nephew said.

“We still cannot believe that this would happen to him as he still had a lot of dreams for his nephews and nieces,” he added.

The Bacolod City Prosecutor last week filed murder charges against Pascual before the Bacolod Regional Trial Court, while the 16-year-old now in the custody of the Social Development Center will also face the same charges.

During the homily at the funeral mass for the slain doctor at the Triumph of the Holy Cross Church, Msgr. Guillermo Gaston said death is something that everybody should not be afraid of.

The doctor’s family and friends should not pity him because he is already with God, Gaston said

Those who attended the doctor’s funeral released old rose- colored balloons, the doctor’s favorite color, to bid him goodbye.*APN

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