SENSELESS KILLING. Lawyer Anselmo “Sato” Carlos and his aide were killed in an ambush by still unidentified gunmen in Barangay San Vicente, Sta. Rita, Pampanga on Tuesday (Jan. 28, 2020). Police are investigating the motive of the killing. (Contributed photo)
STA. RITA, Pampanga—A lawyer and his aide were killed in an ambush by still unidentified gunmen in Barangay San Vicente here on Tuesday.
Lt. Col. Jean Fajardo, director of the Pampanga Police Provincial Office, identified the victims as Lawyer Anselmo “Sato” Carlos, of Barangay Cabangcalan, Floridablanca; and his aide Marcial Mendoza, of Sta. Maria, Bulacan.
Fajardo said based on investigation, the two, on board a Toyota Camry (ZMD 630), were traversing the provincial road in the said village when the suspects on board a Honda Wave motorcycle, shot them using a .45-caliber pistol.
Carlos attended a morning hearing at the Hall of Justice of Guagua before the ambush took place at around 9 a.m.
Police, as of this posting, have yet to determine the motive of the killing.
Recovered CCTV footage showed the faces of the suspects.
Carlos ran for mayor of Floridablanca town several times but lost. He was a known lawyer on land dispute cases.
Meanwhile, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Pampanga Chapter condemned the killing.
“We condemn in the strongest terms possible the violent and cowardly act of the killing of our chapter member, Atty. Anselmo “Sato” Carlos. We are shocked and saddened that one of our members has been added to the growing number of lawyers falling victim to senseless killings. Once again, rule of law has been attacked,” the IBP said in a statement.
The group also called on police authorities to serve justice for Carlos’ death and to put a stop to the killing of lawyers.
“The IBP Pampanga Chapter requests everyone to pray for the repose of the soul of our slain brother in the profession and his driver and that peace and acceptance be found in the hearts of the families left behind by this gruesome act,” the IBP Pampanga said. (PNA)
