Sereno to cops: Solve Zamboanga judge's murder

MANILA, Philippines - Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Friday called on law enforcers to speed up the investigation on the killing of a Zamboanga City judge and put his assassins behind bars.

In a statement, Sereno said authorities should act swiftly to solve the murder of Judge Reynerio Estacio of the Zamboanga City Regional Trial Court branch 14. 

"I am asking the law enforcement offices to act swiftly in getting to the bottom of this incident and to hold the person or persons accountable for this criminal act," Sereno said. 

Judge Estacio, with his wife, was on board his car in front of his home when he was gunned down Friday morning.

The Chief Justice said she has already instructed the executive judge of Zamboanga City to closely monitor the police investigation on the incident. 

She added that she also instructed Executive Judge Peter Eisma to provide any assistance to the family of the slain magistrate. 

Sereno also vowed to get the killers of Estacio, saying she would not let the magistrate to be 'another statistic' in the judiciary's lack of resources to protect its members. 

"We will look into ways of protecting our judges and looking after their families," she said.