MANILA, Philippines – Supreme Court Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta on Wednesday called for swift action on the murder of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur Regional Trial Court Judge Mario Anacleto Bañez.
In a statement, Peralta urged law enforcement agencies to be relentless in going after the perpetrators, calling the Bañez’s slay an “atrocious and dastardly act.”
“On behalf of the Judiciary, I strongly condemn the killing of Regional Trial Court Judge Mario Anacleto Bañez of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur. I call on the law enforcement agencies to exert their best efforts and be relentless in their investigation for the immediate apprehension of those responsible for this atrocious and dastardly act,” he said.
“I also extend my deepest sympathies to the family of Judge Bañez,” he added.
Bañez was shot dead in San Fernando City, La Union on Tuesday by still unidentified assailants.
The initial report from authorities showed that the 54-year old judge was on his way home when he was attacked by armed men on board a motorcycle.
Bañez sustained a gunshot wound to his nape.
“So far po may na-recover tayo na isang empty shell at isang slug sa crime scene,” Lt. Col. Percival Pineda, Officer-in-Charge of San Fernando City Police, said.
Pineda added they are now looking into different angles to determine the possible motive behind the incident.
“Sa nature ng kanyang trabaho, hindi natin idini discount yong possibility na work-related ito,” he said. – RRD (with details from Correspondent Toto Fabros)
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