The mother of a Negrense who was killed together with her husband and 5-year-old granddaughter in her home in Molo, Iloilo, issued an appeal yesterday for prayers, strength and support to bring the killers of her daughter and her family to justice, not just for their sakes, but for the sake of their orphans.

Rosalinda Garcia Zayco said her youngest daughter Cynthia Marie, her husband businessman Francisco "Bobby" Tan, and their daughter, Kathy, were brutally murdered inside their house in Molo, Iloilo, on Jan. 9 "for reasons we cannot yet explain."

The police tagged the businessman's sons Archie Tan, 23, and his brother, John Michael, 18, for the murders and filed complaints against them for murder and parricide before the Iloilo City Prosecutor's Office.

In her letter appealing for prayers, Rosalinda said that 18 years ago, her daughter Cindy married Bobby and they had six children and many successful businesses.

"I, like most mothers, felt that Cindy had nothing more to ask for, they all seemed so very happy with each other, the parents loving one another and the children enjoying the overflow of their love (until)…Jan. 9, 2006, when our world was shattered by a single cruel act of violence," Rosalinda said.

"My grandchildren aged 17, 15, 14, 11 and 1 were left orphaned and their world turned upside down, leaving them stunned and grieving," she said.

"The day after they buried their mother, father and sister they were forced by circumstance to leave their home with only the clothes on their backs, in slippers and with nothing to look forward too but a bleak future amidst lawyers and court cases," she said.

The five Tan siblings are now in the custody of Rosalinda but the aunt of their father, Conchita Tan, is also claiming custody of the children.

A hearing for habeas corpus was held before an Iloilo Regional Trial Court yesterday and another hearing is set today, Boy Zayco said.

Rosalinda said she is a widow, retired, and until recently looked forward to nothing more than a quite life watching her grown-up children raise their own families. She said she was content knowing that she had a pension that sufficiently supported her needs without having to bother her children.

"In the blink of an eye all this changed, ruthlessly and without warning. I had to become a mother, father, grandmother, psychologist, material provider, and strength to my grandchildren," she said.

She also said now she has to fight people with immense material wealth and power to protect her grandchildren.

Rosalinda said she is blessed with a family that has rallied to her side with complete and unfailing support.

But she said she is appealing to her brothers and sisters in the Lord to help them in their prayers.

"Help us raise our voices to God, who is a just God, so that He can bring the killers of Cindy, Bobby and Kathy to justice, not just for their sakes, but for the sake of their orphans," she said. "Prayer is our only hope," she said.*CPG

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