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NBI to probe ambush of veteran lawyer in Cebu

By John Rey Saavedra

September 2, 2019, 8:39 pm

<p><strong>WAYLAID.</strong> Lawyer Inocencio de La Cerna Jr. talks to the police and members of the Cebu media at the Waterfront Police Station in Pier 1 shortly after he was attacked by two motorcycle-riding gunmen at the Port Service Road. He earlier attended a hearing at the Cebu City Justice Hall-Qimonda IT Center on Monday (Sept. 2, 2019). <em>(Photo courtesy of Jhunnex Gabica Napallacan/DYLA)</em></p>

WAYLAID. Lawyer Inocencio de La Cerna Jr. talks to the police and members of the Cebu media at the Waterfront Police Station in Pier 1 shortly after he was attacked by two motorcycle-riding gunmen at the Port Service Road. He earlier attended a hearing at the Cebu City Justice Hall-Qimonda IT Center on Monday (Sept. 2, 2019). (Photo courtesy of Jhunnex Gabica Napallacan/DYLA)

CEBU CITY -- The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Central Visayas on Monday said it will conduct a probe on the alleged ambush attempt that hurt veteran lawyer Inocencio de La Cerna Jr.

Lawyer Dominador Cimafranca, assistant regional director of NBI-Region 7, said they will launch a separate investigation on the shooting of de La Cerna along the Port Service Road in Tejero village, this city, on Monday.

Initial police investigation showed the lawyer was driving his car after attending a hearing at the Cebu City Justice Hall temporarily housed in Qimonda IT Center in Port Area when two men riding a motorcycle overtook his vehicle and opened fire.

Dela Cerna managed to return fire, prompting the attackers to speed away to an undetermined direction.

Chief M/Sgt. Ruth Bongo said de La Cerna sustained a gunshot wound in his right arm.

The lawyer immediately proceeded to Waterfront Police Station, around two kilometers from the courthouse, and sought police protection.

“We will not disclose any information yet. We are still on the stage of gathering information relative to the commission of the crime,” Cimafranca said, ensuring the investigation bureau’s effort to determine all the possible motives of the attack.

He vowed to cooperate with other law enforcement agencies or a task force to be formed to probe the attack.

Meanwhile, Mayor Edgardo Labella directed the police to go after dela Cerna’s assailants. “There should be no stone unturned to arrest the assailant because if this is done to a lawyer, how much more to ordinary civilians,” he said.

Lawyer Regal Oliva, president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu City chapter, called on the police to ensure the safety of lawyers in Cebu.

“We condemn in the highest forms the attempt to take the life of Atty. Inocencio dela Cerna. We call upon our police force to ensure the safety of our legal practitioners in our locality. We demand the speedy investigation of this horrible act and we shall continue to entrust that the rule of law is upheld at all times,” he said in a statement sent to media.

“Prayers offered for the continued safety of Atty. Dela Cerna and to all lawyers out there. These are troubling times, yet we continue to persevere,” he added. (PNA)

 

 

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