Judge survives ambush

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – A judge in Northern Mindanao survived an ambush yesterday morning.

Emmanuel Pasal and his security escorts were in a Suzuki Jimny when unidentified men fired at them along Sayre Highway in Barangay Puerto.

Pasal is the presiding judge of Regional Trial Court Branches 10 and 38 in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro, respectively.

Witnesses said the gunmen were seen jogging while waiting for Pasal’s vehicle.

Investigation showed that prior to the incident, one of Pasal’s staff was told that a P1-million bribe would be offered to the judge in exchange for the grant of bail to a drug suspect.

Chief Inspector Ariel Pontillas said Pasal instructed his staff not to entertain such offers.

“He is a principled and strict judge. He lives a simple life. He is just renting a house,” Pontillas said.

On April 17, motorcycle-riding men shot Pasal’s car on his way home, but the bullet hit only the windshield.

Senior Superintendent  Felipe Abingan, Scene of the Crime Operatives regional chief, is leading the investigation into the ambush, which was believed to be work-related.