JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct a parallel investigation and bring to justice those behind the killing of lady prosecutor in Digos City, Davao del Sur on Monday, June 10.
The victim was identified as Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Eleanor P. Dela Peña of the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor, Davao Occidental.
“The DOJ family is completely devastated over the tragic death of our fellow vanguard of justice, who was recently shot dead in Digos City. There should be no place in society for such barbaric acts, which are totally abhorrent and sinister, transgressing the most fundamental aspect of humanity and life,” Remulla said in a statement.
“In the name of our beloved colleague in justice, we vow that justice will be delivered,” he added.
Reports showed that Dela Peña was shot dead while driving her pick-up truck at 5 p.m. on Monday in Chapter 8, Tinda Aplaya, Digos City.
The car windshield was hit with bullets believed to be from a .45 caliber pistol.
According to witnesses, a motorcycle- riding gunman committed the crime alone.
Meanwhile, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Eastern Mindanao chapter issued a statement strongly condemning the ruthless killing of Dela Peña.
“These heinous acts of violence against a dedicated public servant and a former president of the chapter not only shock our legal community but also undermine the very foundations of justice and the rule of law that Prosecutor Dela Peña tirelessly upheld throughout her career,” the IBP Davao said in a statement.
“We call upon the law enforcement agencies to spare no effort in swiftly apprehending those responsible for this cowardly act. The perpetrators must be brought to justice and made to answer for the crime to the full measure of the law,” the IBP Eastern Mindanao statement stressed.
