Ambush in Looc, Mandaue: Lawyer shot dead

CEBU, Philippines - Two lawyers belonging to the same law firm were ambushed at around 6 p.m. yesterday along Catalino Street, Barangay Looc, Mandaue City.

Amelie “Am-am” Ocañada-Alegre, 35, was killed on the spot while Briccio Boholst, 55, suffered a gunshot wound in the right thigh. Their staff Anthony Pino was also shot in the abdomen.

Both Boholst and Pino were immediately rushed to the Cortes General   hospital and later transferred to the University of Cebu Medical Hospital.

Edmund Sanchez, a friend of Boholst, said the three just came from a meeting and Alegre was driving Boholst home to his residence in Looc.

Police said the Alegre was driving a gray BMW along Catalino Street when they were followed by two men on a black motorcycle. Both assailants were wearing full face helmets and black jackets, according to witnesses.

They were just several meters away from the house of Boholst when the ambush took place.

Investigation and Detection Management Branch Chief Michael Anthony Bastes said Alegre was shot and killed instantly while Pino, who was seated behind her, was also shot. Witnesses said Boholst, who was seated beside Pino in the backseat was shot in the thigh but was quick to crawl out of the car after the shooting started.

The assailants fled towards the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge.

“Naay kaugalingon sakyanan si Atty. Boholst apan usahay pahatod lang sa driver, kay lisod kayo ang parking diha sa law firm sa barangay Tipolo,” Sanchez said.

Alegre is a partner in the Boholst, Herrera, Ocañada and Remedio Law firm.

Boholst was once the city administrator of Mayor Jonas Cortes from 2007 up to 2010. He also become President of the IBP-Cebu City Chapter in 2007.

Marietta Ouano Ocañada, the mother of Amelie suspected that her daughter’s husband marital problems can be a motive for the killing.

Dwight Remedio, one of Amelie’s law partners and her best friend, also said that Amelie and her husband have a pending annulment case. They were college sweethearts and got married in 2004, four years before she became a lawyer. They have no child.

Marietta said Amelie separated from her husband after just four years of marriage due to alleged paramours on the part of the husband.

City police director Mariano Natuel said that seven empty 9mm shells were recovered about 50 meters away from the crime scene. — with Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/BRP (FREEMAN)