Sketches of lawyer’s ‘killers’ out

CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue City Police Office has released the cartographic sketches of two of the six men allegedly involved in the killing of lawyer Amelie Ocañada-Alegre last week.

MCPO chief, Senior Supt. Mariano Natu-el, Jr., said they came up with the facial composite of the assailants during the second case conference last Tuesday. The sketches were released yesterday.

Natu-el said the cartographic sketches are those of the gunman and his driver. The gunman was wearing a black jacket while the driver was wearing a black sweatshirt. Both were wearing full-faced helmets during the ambush.

The sketches were based on the accounts of witnesses and the CCTV footage gathered by the investigators.

Natu-el urged the public to share any information with MCPO, through its landline number, 344-6314, or Facebook page, which may be searched by putting in the email address [email protected].

“We are requesting the public or the community to give us any information to the arrest of the suspect according to this facial composite,” he said.

He said investigators came up with a “link matrix” that they are now using to solve the case.

So far, MCPO investigators have not eliminated any of the four possible motives in the killing, including Alegre’s supposed “sour relationship” with her husband, Ryan, over a disputed property and the case involving a dismissed employee.

Natu-el said that the killing of Alegre was “well-planned,” considering information that the assailants tailed her for two weeks prior to the killing.

Yesterday, operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation – 7 inspected the crime scene in Mandaue City.

The NBI joined the investigation after Alegre’s cousin, Carmelita Terez, a former prosecutor in Mandaue, sought the agency’s help.

The NBI also interviewed several witnesses and acquired a copy of the CCTV footage.

Natu-el said the vehicle driven by Alegre during the ambush was registered to Atty. Briccio Joseph Boholst, one of her companions at that time who sustained injuries, but it was Alegre who was paying for the vehicle.

Another companion, Antonio Pino, also sustained gunshot wounds.

Preemptive move

Meanwhile, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Cebu through its director, lawyer Lani Villarojo, met with Police Regional Office – 7 acting directorial staff chief, Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas, and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 acting chief, Superintendent Marlon Tayaba, to explore possible ways to assist lawyers who face security risks.

Lawyer Gonzalo Malig-on, IBP – Cebu Province Chapter President, said Lawas and Tayaba are willing to provide contact numbers of police directors and intelligence chiefs in the city and provincial units to the IBP members, which can serve as hotlines.

In the discussion of making permit to carry firearms easier for lawyers, the police chiefs reportedly suggested it would be better for lawyers to join existing gun clubs.

Malig-on said the PNP is willing to conduct seminars on security and safety for lawyers. —/JMO (FREEMAN)