Palace, IBP assail slay of Pangasinan, Rizal lawyers; PNP task force probe on

Malacañang on Tuesday condemned the killing of two lawyers in separate incidents in Dagupan City, Pangasinan and Rodriguez, Rizal on May 17.

“We denounce in the strongest possible terms the recent murders of two lawyers in Pangasinan and Rizal,” Presidential Spokesperson and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

Panelo also extended his sympathies to the two lawyers’ families, colleagues, and loved ones and assured them that justice will be served.

He urged the Philippine National Police, which has created a special investigation task group to probe into the killings, to speed up the investigation.

“We ask authorities to leave no stone unturned in identifying the killers and the perpetrators of these two separate cold-blooded killings,” Panelo said.

“We assure the families of the victims that all those involved will be brought to the bar of justice,” he added.

Panelo also slammed the murder of Butuan-based radio commentator Francisco Patindol who was stabbed by an unknown assailant on April 20.

He said authorities are closely monitoring the development of the case.

Lawyer Edilberto Golla Jr., 45, was on his way to a meeting when he was ambushed in Barangay San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal at about 8:45 a.m. on May 17.

Less than an hour later, lawyer Val Crisostomo was shot in front of the Dagupan City Justice Hall.

Both Golla and Crisistomo are members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. 

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) has condemned the killing of Gollas and Crisostomo.   

“The Integrated Bar of the Philippines is saddened and condemns the murder of Val Crisostomo of IBP Pangasinan chapter and Adilberto Golla Jr. of IBP Manila... Nakikiramay po kami sa kanilang mga pamilya at mahal sa buhay,” Domingo Cayosa, IBP executive vice president, said,  

Cayosa assured authorities that the IBP would help in unmasking individuals or groups behind the killings.  

“IBP will cooperate with authorities to determine and apprehend the killers and make them accountable,” he said.   

“These reprehensible incidents are symptoms of weaknesses in our justice system,” Cayosa added. 

Teodora Cerdan, IBP-Pangasinan chapter president, called for a ”swift and effective investigation” of the murder of Crisostomo.

Crisostomo, legal counsel of the Peryahan ng Bayan in Pangasinan, had just attended a court hearing when he was shot dead in front of the justice hall in Barangay Bonuan Guest. 

Motorcycle-riding men fired at Golla as he was leaving his house on his way to work in Barangay San Isidro, Rodriguez.

Police are still investigating and trying to identify the gunman who shot dead Crisostomo May 17.

Crisostomo, of Manaoag, Pangasinan was representing a local carnival, or a “peryahan ng bayan”, said Col. Wilzon Joseph Lopez, Pangasinan police director.

Probers said the victim was standing in front of the justice hall after attending a court hearing at around 9:15 am when he was approached by a lone suspect wearing black jacket and blue helmet, and shot the victim several times with a pistol.

The suspect fled along with a male companion on a motorcycle that sped towards the east in the direction of Barangay Binloc here.

Crisostomo was rushed at Region 1 Medical Center by responding elements of Dagupan police, but was pronounced dead on-arrival.