Palace condemns murder of 2 lawyers, radio personality

Panelo also extended his sympathies to the two lawyers’ families, colleagues, and loved ones and assured them that justice will be served. (File Photo: Office of the Presidential Spokesperson/Facebook)

MANILA — 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 (PNP), 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 Friday. 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.