Aguirre insists on ambush of drug convict’s wife

MANILA, Philippines - To prove his claim that Lalaine Martinez – wife of one of the high-value inmates who testified against Sen. Leila de Lima – survived an ambush, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II yesterday presented pictures of a vehicle with a windshield damaged by a bullet.

“I’m no liar,” Aguirre told reporters following the denial of the Philippine National Police (PNP) that Lalaine, wife of convicted robber Noel Martinez, was ambushed at the Circuit Makati (formerly Sta. Ana race track) last Friday.

He personally inspected the vehicle while National Bureau of Investigation agents subjected it to a bullet trajectory test.

The justice chief explained that the PNP has no record of the incident because the victim did not report it.

“She called me and told me about the incident. She said she was waiting for the police but I think she changed her mind. She said she self-medicated her wound at her sibling’s house,” Aguirre said.

The victim’s shoulder, he pointed out, was only grazed by the bullet so she decided to self-medicate instead of seeking medical treatment. Martinez’s companion could testify in an investigation, Aguirre said.

He ordered the NBI to probe the incident as he revealed that Mrs. Martinez was involved in the attempt to bribe Bilibid inmates with P100 million to recant their testimonies against De Lima.

He earlier tagged former senator Jamby Madrigal and Biñan City Rep. Marlyn Alonte-Naguiat as the ones who offered the bribe that was coursed through Martinez. Both women have denied the allegation.

“The claim of an ambush by Lalaine Madrigal-Martinez is a serious matter. As justice secretary, I take such report, especially by the supposed victim, seriously. I will be remiss in my duty if I did not take it seriously ... I would rather be serious than lax in the discharge of my functions,” Aguirre stressed.