CEBU CITY – Police have urged lawyer Inocencio dela Cerna, who survived an ambush by motorcycle gunmen, to cooperate with authorities in the investigation.
Gunmen attacked Dela Cerna while he was travelling in a car along the Port Service Road near the IT Qimonda Center where he attended a court hearing at the Cebu City Palace of Justice.
Dela Cerna managed to fight back his attackers, but was wounded in the shootout, and sought help at the Waterfront Police Station at the Pier 1 after the ambush.
Police chief Colonel Gemma Vinluan said the lawyer has not spoken to the investigators. “Hindi siya nakipag-cooperate. Maaring normal na i-safe nya muna ang sarili nya… pero magbigay siya ng pangalan sa amin,” Vinluan said, adding, the case would be difficult to solve if Dela Cerna continues to stay silent.
Vinluan said the lawyer owns three handguns, but all these had expired licenses. Although she has no plan to confiscate the weapons, Vinluan urged Dela Cerna to immediately process the renewal of his firearms.
Lawyer Regal Oliva, president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) – Cebu City Chapter, has urged lawyers here to learn self-defense and carry guns to protect themselves.
Oliva hailed Dela Cerna’s bravery in fighting back the gunmen. No individual or group claimed responsibility for the attack, but extrajudicial killings in Cebu are on the rise in recent years. (John Rey Saavedra. With additional report from Cebu Examiner)
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