Arroyo honors US Peace Corps, Julia Campbell

(Updated 3:49 p.m.) President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Monday posthumously bestowed upon Julia Campbell, the US Peace Corps volunteer slain in Ifugao last April, the Order of the Golden Heart for her selfless work for Filipino people. Radio station dzBB said President Arroyo gave the honor to Campbell, with the Rank of Officer (Pinuno). The US Peace Corps, which Campbell served for two years, took the same accolade but with the Rank of Grand Cross (Maringal na Krus). Dignitaries present during the rites included US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, National Police chief Director Gen. Oscar Calderon, Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo. The Order of the Golden Heart gives official recognition to foreign and local citizens who have rendered distinguished services or given noteworthy monetary or material aid, encouragement to the campaign for the amelioration and improvement of the moral, social and economic conditions of the Filipino masses. "It's a huge honor to continue to work in the Philippines and certainly to be recognized and have the chance to continue the work done by a colleague who unfortunately is no longer here with us," Kenney told reporters. Campbell helped set up establish an ecology center in Donsol, Sorsogon and taught English and literature at the Divine Word College in Legazpi City, Albay. The 40-year-old American volunteer disappeared on April 8 during a hike to scenic Ifugao rice terraces. Her body was found 10 days later as her feet protruded from a shallow grave. Woodcarver Juan Duntugan, 25, has admitted to smashing Campbell's head with a rock when their paths literally crossed at the mountain trail. He claimed that he mistook Campbell as a local resident whom he has had disputes. Authorities have slapped murder charges against him. Campbell, a former New York Times journalist, came to the Philippines in March 2005. - GMANews.TV