Slain lawyer’s family seeks IBP assistance

CEBU, Philippines - After almost two months since lawyer Amelie “Am-am” Ocañada-Alegre was killed in an ambush with still no justice served, the family of the slain lawyer has sought assistance from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Cebu City chapter.

Marietta Ouano Ocañada, the mother of Alegre, said they feel disappointed that the mastermind and the gunman have not been identified.

This pushed her to seek for help from the IBP-Cebu City chapter, which Alegre was a member of.

Alegre was ambushed while driving a gray BMW along Catalino Street, Barangay Looc, Mandaue City around 6 p.m. on August 13, 2015.

Together with Alegre were lawyer Briccio Boholst, 55, who sustained a gunshot wound to his right thigh, and a member of their staff, Anthony Pino, who was shot in the abdomen.

“I have a hard time sleeping…I always cried,” Ocañada told members of the IBP-Cebu City Chapter.

Ocañada said she also went to the National Bureau of Investigation-7 to follow up on the case. She explained that it was the NBI whom she approached because it can focus on the case better.

“I trust the Philippine National Police but they were too busy unlike the NBI,” she added.

Lawyer Hidelito Pascual, president of the IBP-Cebu City Chapter, said a group of Alegre’s friends told them that they have raised money to offer as a reward for anyone who can help solve the case.

Pascual, however, said he cannot divulge yet the exact amount of the reward since they are still accumulating it.

Pascual explained that since there will be a reward, IBP will help in the evaluation of the witnesses.

The IBP earlier stated that it is set to create a committee to monitor the case of Alegre. — Mylen P. Manto/ATO (FREEMAN)