[ad_1]
CEBU CITY – A 64-year-old lawyer was ambushed and injured on a street in the city of Lapu-Lapu on Saturday morning.
Attorney James Joseph Gupana was driving his Toyota Hilux on the way to his office at Barangay Centro in Mandaue City when two motorcycle robbers shot him a few meters from his residence in Barangay Pajac around 9 a.m.
Police Sergeant Major Wilson Malnegro from the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LLCPO) said Gupana suffered three gunshot wounds to the left arm and body.
The lawyer was immediately taken to a hospital for treatment.
At 4 p.m., Malnegro said that Gupana was already in stable condition.
According to the police investigation, Gupana reportedly felt that some people were following him since Thursday.
“We will examine this information for clues in the investigation,” Malnegro said.
Attorney Regal Oliva, president of the Integrated Bar Association of the Cebu City chapter of the Philippines, condemned the attack on Gupana.
“We adhere to the notion of justice and the unbridled (attempt) to kill the defenders of the law. We believe that trying to take their lives, especially lawyers, will lead to more injustices in our society, “he said in a statement.
“Therefore, we must be vigilant and not complacent about how our community views the harsh realities of today. We call on public authorities, the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation and all those involved to carry out a swift investigation and bring those guilty of the crime to justice, ”he added.
In a count conducted by INQUIRER, at least 12 lawyers in Cebu had been killed since 2004.
CFC
Read next
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer and more than 70 other titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download from 4am and share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
LABELS:
For comments, complaints or inquiries, please contact us.
[ad_2]
