Palma urges cops: Hasten probe into lawyer’s killing

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma has called on authorities to hasten their investigation into the ambush of a lawyer in Mandaue City last week and to arrest the culprits.

“It’s incumbent upon them to already act. It’s their duty to seek justice and find a way to look for the culprits and hasten the process of the investigation to see to it that justice will be served and implemented,” the 65-year-old prelate said yesterday.

 The church, he said, is saddened by the unfortunate death of the 35-year-old lawyer Amelie “Am-am” Ocañada-Alegre.

 “It’s sad pananglit mao kani permi ang violence sa Cebu,” he lamented.

 The string of killings here, Palma said, paints a bad picture of Cebu.

He, however, reminded the Cebuanos affected not to take the law into own hands.

 “We can’t take for granted this kind of incident. But, we don’t take law and justice in our hands. We pray that justice will have its due course in terms of justice for the victims,” he added.

Father’s words

Meanwhile, Alegre’s father-in-law belied allegations his son had something to do with the ambush.

Engr. Ramon Alegre, Jr., father of Alegre’s husband, Ryan, faced the media at the Mandaue City Police Office yesterday and said his son is not capable of harming his wife.

“My son, Ryan, is still grieving over her tragic and untimely death. These past three days have been extremely difficult for me and my family,” he said.

He also clarified that the couple maintained a civil relationship despite their decision to part ways.

Alegre described as “plain ridiculous” the allegation of lawyer Briccio Joseph Boholst that a disputed property in Talisay City may have been a motive behind the ambush. This is because the property is only 5,000 square meters.

Boholst and staff member Antonio Pino were with Alegre when the ambush occurred. Both men sustained gunshot wounds.

Alegre admits the family has been scared about their safety.

“If your family is involved, you will be scared,” he said.

MCPO chief, Senior Supt. Mariano Natu-el, said they are consolidating all evidence and information gathered in the last three days.

Based on the CCTV footage gathered and testimonies of witnesses, four groups composed of six men may have carried out the ambush.

Natu-el assured that the witnesses are safe because they “only account what happened or what they saw in the crime scene”.

Natu-el also said they are open to the possible entry of the National Bureau of Investigation and other agencies in the investigation.

“The more agencies to help the case, the better,” Natu-el said.

At present, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Police Regional Crime Laboratory Office-7, and other intelligence units are helping in the investigation.

Four angles are being considered, he said, including the couple’s separation and the disputed property. – (FREEMAN)