Task force formed to go after Nueva Vizcaya lawyer's killers

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya , Philippines  – A task force has been former to go after the killers of human rights lawyer Ernesto Salunat, who was gunned down by two motorcycle-riding men in Solano town Monday morning.

Senior Superintendent Pedro Danguilan, provincial police director, said the special task force is now looking into all possible angles in the killing of Salunat, 64, the local campaign manager of the Liberal Party in the recent elections. 

Salunat, also a former Northern Luzon governor of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, was attacked in front of the municipal trial court in Solano town where he was scheduled to attend a hearing. 

He later succumbed to gunshot wounds in the neck and head at the Medical Mission Group Hospital, only few meters away from the crime scene.

“We are making all efforts for the early solution of the case. At the moment we are considering all possible angles behind the killing,” said Danguilan.

Besides work-related, politics was also being looked into in the killing.

A top-notch trial lawyer, Salunat handled controversial cases, including land disputes where he represented informal settlers.

Salunat had survived several slay attempts, the latest some two years ago when he was seriously wounded when the house of his brother, Quezon town Mayor Aurelio Salunat, where they were having a party, was fired at.